CANTERBURY have been hit with a massive $250,000 fine for their Mad Monday saga.
The NRL on Wednesday issued the club with a breach notice and the Bulldogs have been given five days to respond.
“The club organised the event and failed to implement the most basic of measures to ensure it was conducted in an appropriate way,” NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said.
Greenberg said the NRL only decided to take such serious action against the club after reviewing the Bulldogs’ independent report into the actions of its players during its end-of-season celebrations at the Harbour View Hotel in The Rocks on Monday.
Greenberg also confirmed three players are under police investigation.
He said in a statement that the NRL hopes to send a message surrounding the behaviour of its players with the punishment it has handed down.
“The club organised the event and failed to implement the most basic of measures to ensure it was conducted in an appropriate way,” Greenberg said.
“The club’s failure to manage the event followed specific directives to all clubs to ensure these type of events do not damage our game.
“The players’ behaviour embarrassed themselves, their club and the game on the eve of the Finals Series.”
“The actions of some players and officials was inexcusable and we are determined to send a message that it will not be tolerated on this occasion — or in the future,” Greenberg said.
“There has been a real improvement in player behaviour this year – and we should all acknowledge that.
“But to have this kind of incident on the eve of our finals is more than disappointing and there has to be a deterrent to ensure we have no repeat of this behaviour.”
According to Fox League’s NRL 360 reporter James Hooper, Bulldogs players Adam Elliott and Asipeli Fine are facing the prospect of being fined $15,000 each for their balcony antics.
The two stars were photographed nude in full view of pedestrians out the front of the licensed venue.
The club is yet to announce if Fine will be allowed to play in the Bulldogs’ NSW Intrust Super Premiership finals match against Wyong Roos at Jubilee Oval on Sunday after the club named him to start on Tuesday night.
A third player, Marcelo Montoya, is facing a $10,000 fine from the club.
The Bulldogs have issued a press release to announce chief executive Andrew Hill will hold a press conference at 4pm (AEST).