From DT 3/11/2021 re: sacking/retirement
Josh Dugan was forced to retire from rugby league because he could not afford to pay an approximate $150,000 in combined Covid breach fines.
Dugan claimed “a broken fine’s system” ended his career, with the former international left with no choice but to accept a “mutual” termination.
The Sunday Mail can reveal Dugan would have been forced to apply for a bank loan to continue his career, with the fallen star facing a shortfall of a $30,000 had he put every cent of his contract into paying off the loan.
While wanting to continue in the NRL next season, the former State of Origin star would have had to secure a one-year deal to pay off the loan.
“There would have been no point in me playing on when the fine system is broken,” Dugan (right) said.
“The NRL fined me and then the Sharks fined me. That forced my hand into agreeing to the termination.”
Unable to come up with the cash to pay the fines, which were issued by both the Sharks and the NRL in what he claimed was “double dipping”, Dugan was forced to retire from rugby league.
Having been fined a reported $75,000 by the NRL for two Covid breach offences, Dugan revealed he was fined an additional $75,000 by his club.
Dugan unsuccessfully lobbied to have part of the first NRL fine suspended after he was given a $25,000 fine for breaching Covid protocols by attending a Potts Point restaurant on June 24.
Dugan’s request was knocked back by the NRL even though several players had been granted suspended fines for Covid breaches.
Facing up to life without rugby league after a glittering 215 game career, Dugan also hit out at the NRL’s double standards when it came to the size of the fines.
“Why was I fined 50k when others were fined 10k,” Dugan said of his second fine, which was issued after he breached Covid protocols by travelling to Lithgow,
“It makes no sense and the NRL did not stop once to consider my welfare.”
Dugan defended his trip to Lithgow, which became headline news when he was charge by police.
“I was in the process of moving house,” Dugan said.
“But the NRL deemed that not essential or necessary even after I explained my situation and also told them about my mental state. Like I said, they didn’t care and decided $50k was adequate. It makes no sense.”
Dugan’s manager Paul Sutton said Dugan could not afford to continue playing rugby league.
“He had to walk away because he couldn’t come up with the money,” said Dugan’s agent Paul Sutton.
“He was forced into retirement because of the fines. He simply couldn’t continue because there was no guarantee he would have been able to earn enough money to pay the fine let alone take home a wage.
Josh Dugan was forced to retire from rugby league because he could not afford to pay an approximate $150,000 in combined Covid breach fines.
Dugan claimed “a broken fine’s system” ended his career, with the former international left with no choice but to accept a “mutual” termination.
The Sunday Mail can reveal Dugan would have been forced to apply for a bank loan to continue his career, with the fallen star facing a shortfall of a $30,000 had he put every cent of his contract into paying off the loan.
While wanting to continue in the NRL next season, the former State of Origin star would have had to secure a one-year deal to pay off the loan.