The Kiwis and National Rugby League star Kieran Foran has been stripped of the Eels club captaincy and issued a breach notice by Parramatta after falling foul of club officials over his injury rehabilitation.
Paramatta and Kiwis playmaker Kieran Foran. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The club confirmed their star halfback had been stripped of the captaincy after it was reported he had failed to fulfil his duties over his recovery from a shoulder injury.
The club said it would not comment "regarding its in-house disciplinary systems" but it has been widely reported that he has been fined $5000 for failing to show up for several rehabilitation sessions.
Foran has been sidelined for the rest of the season due to the injury and the club has taken a hardline approach after feeling he had neglected his obligations.
The notice was the first of three, with club rules stating a player can be fired following a third notice.
The New Zealand Test playmaker was signed to a $5 million four-year deal by the Eels starting this year but had managed just nine games due to injury and personal issues.
Foran has endured a turbulent year since departing Manly, granted leave in April to enter rehabilitation following the breakdown of his relationship with his long-term partner.
He returned against Melbourne in round 11 but suffered a season-ending torn tendon in his shoulder the following week against Newcastle.
With the club set to have its penalties for salary-cap breaches finalised in the coming week, club legend Peter Sterling told Triple M it had been the most tumultuous season in the club's history.
"If the 12 points are stripped, which we believe is going to happen, when that happens, I don't think there's any doubt that this is the worst," Sterling said.
"Hopefully this is rock bottom and we build from here, but it's been a terrible year."
-AAP
