Storm punishment too harsh: Geyer (original) (raw)

Former Melbourne Storm stalwart Matt Geyer says the NRL's decision to strip the club of two premierships is very harsh.

The world of rugby league is reeling from revelations the reigning premiers breached the salary cap by nearly $2 million over the past five years.

Geyer played 11 seasons for the Storm and was a foundation player at the club before retiring at the end of 2008.

He says the players had no idea there was any breach of the salary cap.

"I'm angry. I'm confused. I'm bitter, very disappointed. I'm feeling sorry for all the guys who are still there, you know," he told AM this morning.

He says he has not spoken to any of the current players or coach Craig Bellamy.

"Obviously it is a bit of a lockdown down there and I know they would all be together, somewhere together at the moment, probably trying to plan what to do next," he said.

"We are a very strong club. We always have been and although we only have a very brief history, we have a very rich history, and to say it is tarnished now is a very huge understatement."

Geyer says he hopes the team can survive.

"We've got thousands of fans who are just depending on us as a club and as a team," he said.

"I know most of them will be out there watching the game showing the support for the boys because they are the innocent ones in this.

"As I said before, I have moved on and I am being slightly punished for it, but I just pray that people don't turn on the actual players because that would be unfortunate."

NRL chief executive David Gallop says it appears two sets of books were used to hide breaches from salary cap auditor Ian Schubert.

Geyer says he was unaware of what salary any of his team-mates were paid and he says players may not have even been aware if they were receiving extra payments.

"I know what I was on. As a group we didn't know if anyone was on a backhand deal or anything like that and players themselves might not have even known, you know," he said.

"We just played footy. We got paid. If you are getting paid each week, each month whatever it is, whenever the money goes in, you don't check where it is coming from.

"You just want to hope that you are feeding your family and it is in the bank on the month on time well then you are happy."

Geyer says the decision to strip the club of the 2007 and 2009 premierships will probably polarise the community.

"I can't sit on a fence. I think it is too harsh," he said.

"I put that answer into context that something has been taken from me when I feel like I've done nothing wrong."

And he says the fact the club will forego any points they have already accrued and will not be awarded any more points for the rest of the season hits the players directly.

"To say that they can't earn any points from here on, I see that as a direct punishment to the players and that is the hard bit that I find to take," he said.

"That is the thing that sticks with me. These boys lining up next week and the week after knowing that even if they win, the only thing that they can achieve is that the other team don't get two points. I think that stinks a bit."