- Hayne was charged with aggravated sexual assault in 2018
- Charges were dropped and he was released from prison in 2024
- Eels finally free of the saga after agreement reached over salary cap scandal
Parramatta has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle a long-running Supreme Court case linked to the salary cap scandal that rocked the club in 2016.
The matter stems from payments made to former Eels stars Jarryd Hayne and Anthony Watmough, which were channelled through a company called Scorecube, a subsidiary of Blackcitrus.
Liquidators acting for Blackcitrus launched legal action seeking $1.17million for the company’s creditors, with the case simmering in the Supreme Court for four years.
It was due to be heard last month, but the settlement brings it to a close without further public scrutiny.
Had the case gone to a full hearing, the courtroom would have aired the details of payments made under arrangements that allegedly breached the NRL salary cap.
In court documents, Parramatta claimed then-CEO Scott Seward signed a heads of agreement with Blackcitrus without the board’s approval.
Jarryd Hayne fronts media after he was released from prison last year when sexual assault charges were dropped
Hayne was still tied to the Eels because of a long-running court case over the 2016 salary cap scandal
The club’s defence stated: ‘… The plaintiff was at all material times aware that the HOA was a sham and that the true purpose of the arrangement was to provide payments to player Anthony Watmough in avoidance of the NRL Salary Cap Rules; and … that the HOA was at all times void and of no legal effect by reason of its illegal nature and/or as against public policy.’
The Eels also argued that Blackcitrus failed to deliver the services outlined in the agreement and issued invoices that did not reflect value.
Sources close to the case confirmed the club agreed to the $500,000 payout to avoid a protracted legal battle.
The decision marks the end of a dark chapter in Parramatta’s history and comes as the club struggles through a turbulent 2025 season.
The 2016 scandal led to heavy sanctions, including a $1million fine, a 12-point deduction, and the loss of the Auckland Nines title.
Several players were offloaded, and the entire board was removed amid sweeping governance changes.
The current administration, keen to avoid further public embarrassment, chose settlement over litigation.
This move also shields the club from further distractions as new coach Jason Ryles hunts his first win.
The Eels chose to pay out liquidators instead of engaging in more litigation over the Hayne payments that stemmed from the salary cap scandal
Parramatta sits at the bottom of the ladder after starting the season 0-4, with key player Mitchell Moses sidelined and Dylan Brown confirming a move to Newcastle.
The legal saga around Hayne and Watmough has hovered over the club like a storm cloud for nearly a decade.
Hayne, once the face of the Eels, has faced his own series of court battles unrelated to the salary cap issue.
In 2018, Hayne was charged with aggravated sexual assault following an incident in Newcastle.
A lengthy legal process followed, resulting in multiple trials, convictions, appeals, and ultimately, his release in 2024.
On June 25, 2024, prosecutors dropped the charges, ending the drawn-out legal drama.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .