It sounds very much to me, especially from Sale's comments today, the they know they will end up writing a cheque to Castleford and always expected to but are just indulging in a bit of brinksmanship

From What I have read on the Rugby Union Forums and the statement from the RFU and Sale sharks owner I get the opporsite impression, they all seem to think this is a matter between Castleford and Solomona and has jack to do with them legally and morally they feel they have no case to answer.

I really really hope the RFL and Cas take Sale to the high court, legal action just against Solomona is not going to stop this happening again, Cas can start by sticking an injuction on Sale!

you are not telling me Sale will not have agreed to pay any of his compensation or legal fees . This stinks and Sale are as much to blame or more so than the player

I can't believe for a minute they haven't had the conversation with the player, given that he could end up personally liable for a 6 figure compensation payment to Cas; if Sale are absolving responsibility for that and leaving it up to the player, either him or his agent must be as thick as mince.

What's much more likely is that they've agreed to cover any compensation awarded to Cas, but are obviously not going to say that publicly.

Cas have issued High Court Proceedings against Denny himself for breach of contract, and then against Sale Sharks and his agent Andy Clarke (Phil Clarke's brother) for inducing breach of said contract. Big statement here: https://castlefordtigers.com/article.php?id=5119

Cas have issued High Court Proceedings against Denny himself for breach of contract, and then against Sale Sharks and his agent Andy Clarke (Phil Clarke's brother) for inducing breach of said contract. Big statement here: https://castlefordtigers.com/article.php?id=5119

I like this bit - "The idea of losing the player was not welcomed by us and we have repeatedly told Sale Sharks that it would be impermissible for them to talk to Solomona let alone sign him. Clear unequivocal warnings have clearly been disregarded".

Sale were warned not to proceed in the signing. It looks like we have just been waiting for today's announcement of a 3 year deal to bring this out. Very professionally done by the Tigers.

Quote ="BD"Cas have issued High Court Proceedings against Denny himself for breach of contract, and then against Sale Sharks and his agent Andy Clarke (Phil Clarke's brother) for inducing breach of said contract. Big statement here: https://castlefordtigers.com/article.php?id=5119'" Being a Trinity fan, I've never sided with Cas over anything in the past but, I'm sure that the whole of the RL world wants a positive outcome for Castleford on this one. It's bad enough when south seas players get "homesick" but, this is on another level and I hope that Cas are abel to get some remuneration for their player going over to the "dark side". I can only imagine what the Cas fans are thinking about this.

Quote ="BD"Cas have issued High Court Proceedings against Denny himself for breach of contract, and then against Sale Sharks and his agent Andy Clarke (Phil Clarke's brother) for inducing breach of said contract. Big statement here: https://castlefordtigers.com/article.php?id=5119'" Being a Trinity fan, I've never sided with Cas over anything in the past but, I'm sure that the whole of the RL world wants a positive outcome for Castleford on this one. It's bad enough when south seas players get "homesick" but, this is on another level and I hope that Cas are abel to get some remuneration for their player going over to the "dark side". I can only imagine what the Cas fans are thinking about this.

Thanks WC. I don't know if you follow your chairman Mick Carter, but his comments on the matter are bang on. https://twitter.com/MichaelC1873/status ... 2440399872

Thanks WC. I don't know if you follow your chairman Mick Carter, but his comments on the matter are bang on. https://twitter.com/MichaelC1873/status ... 2440399872

Quote ="BD"Cas have issued High Court Proceedings against Denny himself for breach of contract, and then against Sale Sharks and his agent Andy Clarke (Phil Clarke's brother) for inducing breach of said contract. Big statement here: https://castlefordtigers.com/article.php?id=5119'" A strong statement from Cas that. I hope all 3 get hammered personally.

Quote ="BD"Cas have issued High Court Proceedings against Denny himself for breach of contract, and then against Sale Sharks and his agent Andy Clarke (Phil Clarke's brother) for inducing breach of said contract. Big statement here: https://castlefordtigers.com/article.php?id=5119'" A strong statement from Cas that. I hope all 3 get hammered personally.

you know a few weeks ago I posted who are Castleford actually suing was it Solomona his agent or Sale and that I think they are going after all three, They just needed Sale to announce his signing and Cas acted within a couple of hours good on them.
So it's not the injuction /transfer fee rout that I thought but inducing breach of contract ,I still reckon £500,000 is possible I hope Andy Clark gets a ban or other super league clubs refuse to do business with him.
No doubt the voices on the darkside will be saying union has more money and they will win in court but this is not a banana republic we (Cas/RFL) can afford a top QC and go to court and we have a good case.
\I would be more excited to win this court case and get a hefty payout than win the challenge cup.

Come on you ford!

Quote ="Tigerade"Thanks WC. I don't know if you follow your chairman Mick Carter, but his comments on the matter are bang on. https://twitter.com/MichaelC1873/status ... 2440399872'" I dont do twitter but, he's right. Mick Carter has always been praised for his conduct in the transfer market. Despite him being a relative newcomer, Sale could learn something from him. I've no issue with Sale signing Solomona but, they should have to pay for a contracted player. I dont care if he's come from RL, Darts, Wrestling or whatever and it hacks me off to think that a Union club, supposed to be run by "better" people can stoop to this kind of act, it's disgraceful. They cant say that they didn't know, as they had originally approached Cas, with a view to buying the player out of his contract and I agree with comments about the agent, the brother of a RL legend, you couldn't make it up.

Quote ="Tigerade"Thanks WC. I don't know if you follow your chairman Mick Carter, but his comments on the matter are bang on. https://twitter.com/MichaelC1873/status ... 2440399872'" I dont do twitter but, he's right. Mick Carter has always been praised for his conduct in the transfer market. Despite him being a relative newcomer, Sale could learn something from him. I've no issue with Sale signing Solomona but, they should have to pay for a contracted player. I dont care if he's come from RL, Darts, Wrestling or whatever and it hacks me off to think that a Union club, supposed to be run by "better" people can stoop to this kind of act, it's disgraceful. They cant say that they didn't know, as they had originally approached Cas, with a view to buying the player out of his contract and I agree with comments about the agent, the brother of a RL legend, you couldn't make it up.

Regarding Andy Clarke's actions. I think there is a good chance of him been struck-off the registered agents list.

absolute disgrace...100% behind Cas

Wrong on all levels this, Cas have all my support for what that's worth - nothing. My fear is that money does talk and cas will end up with 100 grand and a legal bill so hope I am wrong

Stuff Sale, stuff Solomona, stuff RU and stuff Andy Clarke and his brother Phil, weedy snakes.

I would hope so. And any sports agency he works for.

If Cas get a payout of some description via a court plus their costs covered by Sale/Solomona then it will all be worthwhile. Doesn't need to be a massive payout, particularly if Solomona is made to pay. The important thing is the message it sends out. Right now just putting the case forward tells everyone that Cas (and most likely other SL clubs) won't be pushed around on this. It also tells players that they can't just walk away when something better comes along. If they want to be able to do that then they should sign week to week contracts.

What i find a bit interesting is the attitude of both Sale and the RFU. Whilst I have no doubt they take some satisfaction from trying to walk all over RL whilst they have the financial upper hand, its not hard to envision scenarios where the boot is on the other foot. Quite possibly with NFL teams playing the role of bogeyman.

Clarke is the main target for me. Solomona isn't the brightest guy but he's not doing anything he's not been encouraged to do. He's got himself a very expensive other half who he's going to have to shower with riches to have a chance of keeping, so fair play to him for chasing the coin. It's Clarke, who is making a killing grooming league players with the deliberate intention of moving them to Union that needs to be forced out of the sport. With Phil constantly promoting his players on Sky and him taking this action against the sport, Super League and the RFL need to act properly over this.

I've absolutely no doubt the court actions will either be unsuccessful due to a Union bias or be successful in case but paid at such a ridiculously low rate that Cas will suffer from the whole episode. The sport needs to come together and force Clarke out. Any player still associated with him should be called in and told to remove him and whatever the sport can do to ban him needs to be done. The clubs have a key role here, even if the sport cannot do anything legally, they can still refuse to deal with him at all.

Getting Clarke off Sky is another thing that needs to happen ASAP. Total conflict of interest.

Not that it would make any difference,

But I'll be writing to Sky to explain if Phil Clarke isn't removed as a result of his association with his brothers agency, and the scandalous actions during this, then I'll be cancelling my sky package.

Great quote from Steve Diamond the Sale coach designed to defuse the situation



I also see they have taken their "Welcome Denny Solomona" video down as it showed him playing for Cas.

I'd seen a few people mentioning Phil Clarke and thought "bit harsh calling for his head, he's only his brother". A little digging on t'internet and he's a director of Outside Sport Ltd, with Andrew: https://companycheck.co.uk/company/0628 ... house-data A look on companies house shows the company is owned in it's entirety by the Clarke family, including Andrew & Phil's spouses (I assume). Phil & Andrew have an equal shareholding. It does make any comment on Sky by Phil or any article he's written about any players that are on OS Ltd's books, a little bit more cynical.

I'd seen a few people mentioning Phil Clarke and thought "bit harsh calling for his head, he's only his brother". A little digging on t'internet and he's a director of Outside Sport Ltd, with Andrew: https://companycheck.co.uk/company/0628 ... house-data A look on companies house shows the company is owned in it's entirety by the Clarke family, including Andrew & Phil's spouses (I assume). Phil & Andrew have an equal shareholding. It does make any comment on Sky by Phil or any article he's written about any players that are on OS Ltd's books, a little bit more cynical.

Clarke should be removed from Sky's Super league coverage until this sorry saga is resolved at the very least. Clear conflict of interest.

What the guy says from now on will be treated with mistrust. I am guessing he won't exactly get a warm welcome from fans at most clubs next season.....or at the old Lions players tour meet ups either.

Just a shame that this had to happen to Cas - we have very, very limited resources as it is but it feels like we're fighting a battle on behalf of the sport. Whatever happens in the courts sets a precedent for every single club in SL - if Sale/Denny/his agent get away with this, then RU will be poaching our players left right and centre, more than they already are.

I'm not sure as to the legalities of this, but I wonder if SL clubs have the ability to add a condition into all future player contracts that stipulates the player cannot move to another sport whilst they're still under contract? Basically meaning a player can't "retire" then pop up in union a week later.

It's quite simple regarding players agents. If the RFL have the collective will of the clubs - Clarke will be struck off as an agent and his registration revoked.