The Gold Coast Titans are facing a salary cap investigation by the NRL following claims that a payment was made to the family involved in David Fifita's trespassing incident at Christmas time.
A News Corp report revealed that the NRL was unaware of the payment, with money reportedly changing hands after Fifita was embroiled in a bizarre controversy in the off-season.
The NRL Integrity Unit's probe into Fifita's behaviour is ongoing but it has now become a broader investigation, looking into the nature of the payment.
It will be important to the NRL to find out if the payment was made by Fifita out of his personal finances or by the Titans. If it was the club that made the payment there are potential salary cap implications.
The fact that there was a compensation payment at all will also likely impact on the investigation into Fifita's behaviour and potentially change the NRL's view on whether or not a sanction is appropriate.
It had been expected that Fifita would escape sanction due to the fact that he was not charged by police.
However, if the NRL discovers that the family's complaint was dropped due to a financial settlement a sanction may still be handed down.
Fifita was arrested by police about 8am on December 27, following reports of trespassing at an address in Clear Island Waters on the Gold Coast.
He was questioned at Broadbeach police station and released without charge. Fifita was later issued an adult police caution.
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from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/gold-coast-titans-salary-cap-investigation-david-fifita/38d34ec8-8f38-4dec-8f1a-720aedc5f627
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