NRL career looks set to be over for former poster-boy of the competition.
Did the NRL do enough to help Todd Carney and what happens now. Read more here:
Todd Carney’s manager David Riolo has hit out at the Cronulla Sharks for their sudden sacking of his client in the wake of the urination photo scandal.
Carney was sacked less then 24 hours after an embarrassing photo of him urinating into his own mouth inside of a public toilet went viral, resulting in the club tearing up his $3.5 million, five-year contract.
More information has emerged about the incident, with the photo being taken by another patron at Northies in Cronulla on Saturday night before uploading it to Twitter.
Riolo did not defend the actions of his client in the photo but said Cronulla should have at least given Carney a chance to front the board officially and explain his actions.
“This decision is indicative of where Cronulla has been in recent times and their organisation from board level down,” Riolo said.
“I’m not defending the photo or anything like that but I think he deserved an opportunity to at least front the board to put forward a statement on his own behalf before they terminated a five year contract.”
Sharks chief executive Steve Noyce said he had spoken to Carney several times privately but said his hands were tied after the photo caused a storm of outrage amongst NRL fans.
“I have spoken to Todd several times today and obviously it is a difficult situation for him. It is difficult for all of us, but clubs have to have high standards,” Noyce said.
“The game, the community, our stakeholders all demand that and it is important that we are proud to represent this great club, play in this great game and meet the standards that are expected of all of us.”
It is understood Carney was willing to accept a large fine or suspension for the rest of the current season as punishment, but the Sharks opted to end his time at the club and most likely his NRL career in the process as it the third time he has been sacked by a team for off-field incidents.
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