In 2015, the Parramatta Eels were at the center of a major controversy when the NRL launched an investigation into salary cap breaches. The Eels were accused of exceeding the salary cap over multiple seasons, allegedly using third-party payments and other tactics to illegally boost player salaries.
As a result, the club faced serious penalties, including the loss of 12 competition points, which severely impacted their chances of making the finals that year. In addition to the point deduction, the Eels were fined $1 million, and several key figures in the club’s management were removed.
This scandal sent shockwaves through the NRL and overshadowed what was otherwise a competitive season for Parramatta. While the investigation was a major setback, the Eels eventually worked through the challenges and began rebuilding their management and team culture in the years that followed.
