Greg Bird finished at Cronulla Sharks NRL
GREG Bird has played his last game at Cronulla. The outpouring of public anger after the Test five-eighth was charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on his girlfriend has left the Sharks with no choice but to sack him.
Sponsors have contacted the club seeking answers about the incident, which has resulted in Bird being stood down indefinitely.
The Sharks' decision to sack Bird will put pressure on the NRL to deregister him and prevent him going to rival clubs, effectively ending his NRL career.
This could become irrelevant as Bird faces a possible jail term if convicted.
Sharks chief executive Tony Zappia was cautious last night given the pending legal action but confirmed there were community concerns.
"It is a very difficult decision based on Cronulla being such a close-knit community," he said. "(Terminating his contract) is certainly something that will be strongly considered."
Chairman Barry Pierce was also cautious about revealing the Sharks' intentions, but addressed the leagues club board on where the club stood.
"He is suspended indefinitely and, on legal advice, we can't do another thing," Pierce said. "I think it is the only thing we could do."
Pierce said Bird's future at the club would be decided after a board meeting and in consultation with Zappia and the coaching staff after the case had been legally resolved.
"That will be discussed when the time arrives," Pierce said.
"We will look at it at the time and as a board, and take advice. Sorry, I can't say much more about it but that is where we are at."
It is clear Bird's position at the club is untenable.
The club was inundated with emails from fans, the reaction overwhelmingly in favour of sacking him.
The wider reaction from the rugby league community has been similar, a fact the Sharks are aware of.
Significantly, club sponsors are also concerned at the damaging publicity.
"They are pretty keen to see some action is taken," Zappia said.
"The club has a responsibilty to sponsors, supporters, management staff and the players.
"It is important that the values of society are upheld at every opportunity."
The Sharks have shifted skipper Paul Gallen to lock to replace Bird for Friday night's match against Wests Tigers, with Fraser Anderson moving to the forwards and Brett Kearney brought back to play fullback.
GREG Bird has played his last game at Cronulla. The outpouring of public anger after the Test five-eighth was charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on his girlfriend has left the Sharks with no choice but to sack him.
Sponsors have contacted the club seeking answers about the incident, which has resulted in Bird being stood down indefinitely.
The Sharks' decision to sack Bird will put pressure on the NRL to deregister him and prevent him going to rival clubs, effectively ending his NRL career.
This could become irrelevant as Bird faces a possible jail term if convicted.
Sharks chief executive Tony Zappia was cautious last night given the pending legal action but confirmed there were community concerns.
"It is a very difficult decision based on Cronulla being such a close-knit community," he said. "(Terminating his contract) is certainly something that will be strongly considered."
Chairman Barry Pierce was also cautious about revealing the Sharks' intentions, but addressed the leagues club board on where the club stood.
"He is suspended indefinitely and, on legal advice, we can't do another thing," Pierce said. "I think it is the only thing we could do."
Pierce said Bird's future at the club would be decided after a board meeting and in consultation with Zappia and the coaching staff after the case had been legally resolved.
"That will be discussed when the time arrives," Pierce said.
"We will look at it at the time and as a board, and take advice. Sorry, I can't say much more about it but that is where we are at."
It is clear Bird's position at the club is untenable.
The club was inundated with emails from fans, the reaction overwhelmingly in favour of sacking him.
The wider reaction from the rugby league community has been similar, a fact the Sharks are aware of.
Significantly, club sponsors are also concerned at the damaging publicity.
"They are pretty keen to see some action is taken," Zappia said.
"The club has a responsibilty to sponsors, supporters, management staff and the players.
"It is important that the values of society are upheld at every opportunity."
The Sharks have shifted skipper Paul Gallen to lock to replace Bird for Friday night's match against Wests Tigers, with Fraser Anderson moving to the forwards and Brett Kearney brought back to play fullback.
