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The Canberra Raiders have torn up the contract of Todd Carney, whose career in Australia seems over for now after the NRL deregistered the player for 2009.
Canberra chief executive Don Furner said the board arrived at the decision this morning following a series of off-field behavioral issues with the representative halfback.
“The board decided they had had enough,” Furner told reporters this afternoon after releasing Carney from his $400,000 a year contract.
Carney met with the board this morning in a bid to have a suspension imposed for the remainder of the 2008 season revoked.
The controversial playmaker was handed a five-point ultimatum last week, which stipulated he would have to undertake counselling, go on an alcohol ban until 2012 and remain suspended from playing until 2009.
“The board met and discussed Todd with his manager and they were granted the request to put his case to the board, and regrettably the board after deliberation chose to terminate his contract today,” said Furner.
“They felt they had given him enough chances and that he could continue no longer.
“The decision was made that he had plenty of chances over his time with the club, and with his behavioural issues the board decided that they had had enough and that’s what they came up with.”
NRL boss David Gallop backed the Raiders’ stance on the troubled star, and said the league would not allow Carney to join another club next season.
“Canberra has acted professionally throughout their handling of Todd Carney’s off-field issues,” Gallop said today.
“The plan they put forward is one that we supported and which appeared to provide genuine support for the player as well as a disciplinary aspect.
“This isn’t a situation where we could allow another club to benefit by gaining access to Todd’s services next season. It’s hard to imagine how such an outcome would benefit the player or the game.
“If Todd can address his issues – and support services will remain available to him to do so through our counselling and welfare programmes – then we would reassess his position for the 2010 season.
“We are not in a position to prevent him from going to other competitions, we are simply setting a clear standard about what will be tolerated in our competition.”
Furner said the club is willing to assist Carney through his rehabilitation including funding for any counseling services or rehabilitation plan.