Josh Addo-Carr is SACKED by Canterbury Bulldogs as club executives tear up $550k-per-year contract following drug scandal
Josh Addo-Carr has been sacked by the Canterbury Bulldogs after a 45-minute meeting with club bosses on Thursday afternoon.
The under-fire winger was seen arriving at Belmore ahead of a meeting with club executives this afternoon as he attempted to convince Bulldogs’ bosses that he has a future at the club.
The Bulldogs issued a show cause notice to the former State of Origin star in the wake of Addo-Carr’s drug-driving scandal.
A positive roadside drugs test in September had placed doubts over his future at the NRL club, with the 29-year-old winger subsequently missing the Bulldogs’ elimination final defeat by Manly at the tail end of the season.
He was accompanied by top lawyer Elias Tabchouri and his agent Mario Tartak as the group arrived on Thursday ahead of the meeting. RLPA legal counsel Sam Skinner was also present.
The former State of Origin star pled his case during the hearing but the board came to the conclusion to terminate Addo-Carr’s $550,000-per-year contract with immediate effect.
It is understood the winger had received some backlash for misleading club officials over the incident and Bulldogs bosses had wanted to scrap the 29-year-old’s contract. Addo-Carr had one year left on that deal.
Bulldogs chairman Adam Driussis said that the decision to part company with Addo-Carr ‘was not made lightly’ and ‘follows careful consideration by the board.’
‘Josh has been a significant part of our Club over the past three seasons. During this time, he has provided many memorable moments for our Members and fans.
‘We understand Josh’s popularity with our passionate supporter base and we share their disappointment that his time with the club has ended this way,’ Driussis said.
‘However, this season has demonstrated the importance of building a culture based on clear standards and values.
‘While the NRL integrity unit has completed its investigation and imposed a four-match suspension, the club views the combination of the failed drug test and subsequent lack of transparency as serious breaches of Josh’s contractual obligations and our club’s standards.
‘Supporting our players remains a fundamental priority for our club, with comprehensive welfare programs that go well beyond just football.
‘While we will always stand by our players through difficult times, we can only do this effectively when there is complete trust and transparency.’
Shortly after Thursday’s meeting, the winger took to Instagram to post a picture of himself wearing a Bulldogs jersey while placing his hand on the club crest.
He added a caption to the Instagram story which read ‘PTBAB’ with a ‘blue heart’ emoji. Some have speculated that the message means ‘Proud to be a Bulldog.’
It is understood that the Dragons had shown an interest in Addo-Carr, who had been absent for the Bulldogs elimination final against Manly at the tail end of the season.
The Daily Telegraph claims that the 29-year-old winger could be looking for a contract worth around $500,000 per season.
The Canterbury winger had also been offered a four-match ban by the NRL for his indiscretion as well as a $15,000 fine, according to The Daily Telegraph. That was coupled with a four-month ban and a fine issued by police.
‘The National Rugby League (NRL) today issued Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player Josh Addo-Carr with a breach notice alleging a breach of the NRL Code of Conduct,’ the NRL had previously said.
‘Addo-Carr was issued with a penalty notice by NSW Police earlier this month for the offence of ‘Presence of prescribed illicit drug in person’s oral fluid, blood or urine’ while driving a motor vehicle.
‘The breach notice alleges that Addo-Carr has engaged in conduct which is against the law and has brought the game and his club into disrepute.’
The Bulldogs’ decision to sign Marcelo Montoya earlier this month had also cast doubt over Addo-Carr’s future at the Bulldogs.
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