The Australian rugby league player Paul Gallen has quit the Cronulla captaincy just hours after admitting his guilt and apologising for racially abusing St George Illawarra forward Mickey Paea.
Gallen handed in his resignation in a bid to save the embattled club from further turmoil, the rugged backrower apologising for his abuse of Paea and accepting the $10,000 fine imposed by the NRL following a meeting with league boss David Gallop.
His position as club captain was set to be the first item on the agenda for the new Sharks board's first meeting, Gallen saving them the tough decision by quitting the post.
There was no indication from the club who would take over the captaincy, though a lack of viable options could see former Dragons skipper Trent Barrett handed the reins.
