The NRL will probe Gold Coast for a possible salary cap breach after star recruit David Fifita’s arrest late last year.
The former Brisbane star was questioned and released without charge in December after a bizarre trespassing incident on the Gold Coast that was said to be a mix-up.
It was assumed the matter had been dealt with ahead of Fifita’s first appearance in Titans colours this Saturday in a trial game against the Warriors.
But on Tuesday the NRL confirmed they were looking deeper into the incident after NewsCorp reported revelations of a payment being made to the family involved in the incident.
It’s understood the probe will centre on whether Fifita or the Titans provided the compensation and whether there are any salary cap implications.
“The NRL integrity unit is seeking further information from the Gold Coast Titans concerning an incident involving David Fifita,” an NRL spokesman told AAP.
“On the information provided, the salary cap position of the club will not be materially affect.”
The devastating backrower arriving on the Gold Coast on a three-year deal worth more than $1 million a season.
It isn’t the first incident of this nature Fifita, who turns 21 later this week, has been involved in.
He spent three days in a Bali jail in 2019 following a run-in with a bouncer and was forced to negotiate a “peace agreement” before he was released and able to fly home.
A lengthy NRL integrity unit investigation then took place, but no further action was taken.
The Titans have been contacted for comment.
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