Melbourne Rebels 2024

[Wilson]

Does this mean the Reds and Force immediately stop paying their PAYG taxes for their players right now?

It could only be for Wallabies contracted players and not the entire squad, but either way it wouldn't be in their interests to just stop paying and kick off a fight. Would be an awfully big bargaining chip for them in any negotiations going forward though.

 

[Ignoto]

When you think things couldn't get any messier, they just did. RA should be held “jointly or severally liable” for the multi-million tax bill, state Gilbert and Tobin lawyers who are acting for the Melbourne Rebels’ administrators, PwC.

Two things can be correct here;

1) RA and Melbourne Rebels are jointly liable for the tax bill; and
2) RA provided money to the Rebels to cover this bill, Rebels did not use this money for paying the ATO and used it elsewhere.

Then the Rebels directors obviously don't want to be left holding the tax debt themselves and are claiming RA should pay it as they're also liable.

That somewhat still lines up with everything we've read over the last few months. Ie RA are liable but have already given cash.

 

[Wallaby Man]

Something like this could be the case of ATO suing both rebels and RA, then RA having the ability to go after the directors. Still think they will get caught out for failure to have appropriate checks and balances given this went for years on end.

As for contract, all require RA sign off from my understanding under player association rules. It’s why they are liable for paying salaries if a team goes under.