But some have cheated. Image Rights have to be included in the declaration to the RFL. These are not being questioned, just the amount given to players - the percentage. But the ones who have used EBT's and not declared them to the RFL will now be found out.

It would depend on whether Leeds were significantly implicated in this activity. If they were not, then I would tend to agree. If they WERE, then they (and every other significantly-implicated club) would need the increase to retain their existing players on the same packages, and to continue offering packages of similar level going forward (especially where contracts have already been entered into).

FWIW, I've said repeatedly that I'd be surprised and disappointed if Leeds are heavily implicated - does not seem the sort of thing Hetherington would want to be involved with, given his very high moral stance and strongly-experessed views on similar issues.

Correction: a club under the cap might well be able to accommodate the increase within their cap space, of course - especially if they left some space in anticipation of - or as insurance against - the issue crystalising.

Wow. That's a new one. I knew there was a serious issue with the tax status of EBTS. And EBTs are covered by the cap rules. But this is the first I have heard of the possibility of clubs deliberately falsifying salary cap returns - is that what you are suggesting?? Is that just speculation??

That's my information!

Mmm...beats Barracudas.

Does your information stretch to whether we as a club need to worry at all?

I shall agree with you there mate now I'm a little better informed. If it is found out to be Tax Evasion then I wholeheatedly believe the clubs who have done it should be made to repay any outstanding debts. Surely though it shouldn't have taken this long for HMRC to realise teams we're doing this. And if as you say clubs have been doin it for years, why havent they broached the issue before??? Im a little skeptical about the whole debarcle if Im honest...

You are having so much fun with this. Everywhere I go on the forums - there you are.

Probably as much fun as FA did with the Harris case.

As a SE person myself - tax is not always boring but

Tax + RL + HMRC + Possible rule violations (some clubs) + scandal + possible penalties + finger pointing + possible vindication for other clubs = as you succinctly put it - wow!

You might suppose that; I could not possibly comment...



Seriously, though - we learnt from the Harris case debacle that it can be dangerous to speculate when we lack some key facts - and in that case it sure seems we did. And I remain very angry with at least one individual over that.

In THIS case, I strongly suspect that some clubs other than us will be in some difficulties over all this right now; but I've yet to see it demonstrated that we are not ourselves implicated. I'd be very surprised if we were significantly exposed, not least because of the comparison of the relative perceived quality (and therefore probable cost) of squads; your use of the word "vindicated" was interesting. But I'd feel a lot happier with a few more hard facts to work with, and to be more sure that we need not worry overmuch.

It would seem to be a fairly simple task for the Bulls to issue a denial if we aren't caught up in it.

Would it be a simple majority vote (what constitutes a vote etc) or 2/3 majority? Can anyone remember the voting system used when the penalties for salary cap breach were increased - from 2/4/6 to 4/8/12 points a couple of years ago?