The NRL has taken over control of ailing franchise the Gold Coast Titans following the recent dangerous drugs supply scandal which has rocked the league in recent days.
Saddled without a sponsor and training ground, the league will take control of the club with the intention of bringing it back to sustainability.
NRL chief executive Dave Smith flew to the Gold Coast on Wednesday to meet with Titans brass and address the club’s long-term future.
“The NRL has taken control of the club,” Smith announced.
“This is a really, really important day for the Titans, more importantly, for the fans of the Titans and fans in the Gold Coast.
“It is a long-term commitment.
“We will solve these problems, it’s not the end of the world.
“We will fix these and build a club that is not only competitive, but a club to be proud of.”
The club will retain the Titans moniker and under contract players will remain with the club under the takeover.
Players Greg Bird, David Taylor, Beau Falloon, Jamie Dowling and Kalifa Faifai Loa are set to appear in court to face drug offence charges following news high-profile Queensland Reds star Karmichael Hunt had been charged over supplying cocaine under the same investigation.
Smith said the players’ futures wouldn’t be decided until more evidence became available, but denied the league has a cocaine problem.
“1,000 players pull on an NRL jersey. A handful have been charged. No, it’s not a problem,” he said.
Photo: Matt Roberts/Getty Images.
