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Sharks sack Brett Seymour over alcohol breaches
The Cronulla Sharks have sacked halfback Brett Seymour, terminating his contract after the latest in a string of alcohol-related incidents.
The announcement comes after Seymour was believed to have been asked to leave a premises while intoxicated last Sunday.
The incident was described by the Sharks as “not in the high range of offences”, but stressed it had followed two previous breaches of club rules.
Seymour was banned for two matches and fined $20,000 over his drunken behaviour in a Cronulla mall which caught on video.
He had joined the Sharks after being sacked by the Broncos in 2006 over another off-field incident.
“The club has considered all aspects and ramifications for both the game, Brett and the Sharks,” Sharks CEO Richard Fisk said
“Whilst it was not in the high range of offences it is compounded by the number of previous incidents. It is important that a clear message is sent to all that the Sharks have strict rules and codes of conduct and that they must be adhered to, not just by the players but by all at our club.
“We have worked with Brett both internally and with counselling support and unfortunately those efforts have not been embraced.
“The Sharks have gone through a difficult period and it is important for us to ensure that our brand is protected, the fans and corporate sponsors respect our club and most of all, the Sharks are considered an appealing vehicle for young footballers to aspire to play for.
“We wish Brett all the best in his future.”
The NRL has backed the Sharks’ stance.
“The Sharks have continued to make strong statements about the standards they expect and I think they deserve to be commended for that stance,” NRL chief executive David Gallop said.
“There is certainly some sympathy for the plight of the player who clearly has some ongoing issues and we are assured that there will be ongoing support for him.
“But it is also in the interests of the image of every player in the game and every club that there are some clear boundaries.”
Seymour’s playing future is now in doubt, with Gallop saying the NRL would not allow him to register with another club.
“Certainly in the case of Brett the NRL would need to be convinced that it was in both the player’s best interests and the game’s best interests that he move to another club and our current view is that Brett would not be accepted for registration for some time.
“There have been a number of players who have proven that they can benefit from another chance but clubs need to accept that they take on a huge responsibility in this area."
http://www.livenews.com.au/home/sharks-sack-brett-seymour-over-alcohol-breaches/2009/7/1/211660
The Cronulla Sharks have sacked halfback Brett Seymour, terminating his contract after the latest in a string of alcohol-related incidents.
The announcement comes after Seymour was believed to have been asked to leave a premises while intoxicated last Sunday.
The incident was described by the Sharks as “not in the high range of offences”, but stressed it had followed two previous breaches of club rules.
Seymour was banned for two matches and fined $20,000 over his drunken behaviour in a Cronulla mall which caught on video.
He had joined the Sharks after being sacked by the Broncos in 2006 over another off-field incident.
“The club has considered all aspects and ramifications for both the game, Brett and the Sharks,” Sharks CEO Richard Fisk said
“Whilst it was not in the high range of offences it is compounded by the number of previous incidents. It is important that a clear message is sent to all that the Sharks have strict rules and codes of conduct and that they must be adhered to, not just by the players but by all at our club.
“We have worked with Brett both internally and with counselling support and unfortunately those efforts have not been embraced.
“The Sharks have gone through a difficult period and it is important for us to ensure that our brand is protected, the fans and corporate sponsors respect our club and most of all, the Sharks are considered an appealing vehicle for young footballers to aspire to play for.
“We wish Brett all the best in his future.”
The NRL has backed the Sharks’ stance.
“The Sharks have continued to make strong statements about the standards they expect and I think they deserve to be commended for that stance,” NRL chief executive David Gallop said.
“There is certainly some sympathy for the plight of the player who clearly has some ongoing issues and we are assured that there will be ongoing support for him.
“But it is also in the interests of the image of every player in the game and every club that there are some clear boundaries.”
Seymour’s playing future is now in doubt, with Gallop saying the NRL would not allow him to register with another club.
“Certainly in the case of Brett the NRL would need to be convinced that it was in both the player’s best interests and the game’s best interests that he move to another club and our current view is that Brett would not be accepted for registration for some time.
“There have been a number of players who have proven that they can benefit from another chance but clubs need to accept that they take on a huge responsibility in this area."
http://www.livenews.com.au/home/sharks-sack-brett-seymour-over-alcohol-breaches/2009/7/1/211660