WRFL STATEMENT

The Western Region Football League has been informed by the Player Payments Disciplinary Committee (PPDC) that the Deer Park Football Club (DPFC) has been sanctioned for rule breaches pertaining to the Allowable Player Payment Rule (APP) in the 2018 season.

In accordance with the Community Club Sustainability Program – Player Payment Rules and based on the available evidence, the independent committee chaired by a magistrate determined the following in relation to the respective charges against the club:

 

Charge #1

Deer Park FC charged with a breach of Rule 2(a)(i) of the Community Club Sustainability – Player Payment Rule in that the Club exceeded the 2018 APP limit of $215,000.

Outcome: Not sustained. The charge primarily pertained to the DPFC senior coach playing reserves matches. The PPDC determined the circumstances did not meet the definition within the Rule of a ‘playing coach’ nor the definition of ‘player payments’.

 

Charge #2

Deer Park FC charged with a breach of Rule 4(d) of the Community Club Sustainability – Player Payment Rule in that the Club failed to submit a Final Declaration signed by the Club President.

Outcome: Dismissed.

 

Charge #3

Deer Park FC charged with a breach of Rule 4(d)(i) of the Community Club Sustainability – Player Payment Rule in that the Club failed to disclose all payments to players in the APP Final Declaration.

Outcome: Guilty – $2,000 penalty; club to make all future player payments via EFT or similar; club to report to league with monthly profit & loss statements in 2020 and 2021.

 

Charges #4, #5

Deer Park FC charged with a breach of Rule 4(a) of the Community Club Sustainability – Player Payment Rule in that the Club failed to lodge an original player declaration for two (2) respective players with the WRFL within the prescribed time frames.

Outcome: #4 – Guilty – $2,000 penalty. #5 – Not sustained.

 

Charge #6

Deer Park FC charged with a breach of Rule 4(a) of the Community Club Sustainability – Player Payment Rule in that the Club failed to lodge a player declaration signed by a respective player with the WRFL within the prescribed time frames.

Outcome: Guilty – $2,000 penalty.

 

Charge #7

Deer Park FC charged with a breach of Rule 5(b) of the Community Club Sustainability – Player Payment Rule in that the Club provided a player declaration which was false and misleading.

Outcome: Not sustained.

 

Charge #8

A Deer Park FC player charged with a breach of Rule 7(d) of the Community Club Sustainability – Player Payment Rule for not fully and truthfully answering all questions put to him by an Integrity Officer.

Outcome: Not sustained.

 

The PPDC recommended the club be re-audited post the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Under the Player Payment Rules, both the WRFL and the Club are afforded an opportunity to review the respective outcomes of the Committee and provide due consideration to any appeal subject to Rule 12.