ID :
16320
Tue, 08/19/2008 - 01:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16320
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Bulldogs release Williams from contract
(AAP) The Bulldogs have released Sonny Bill Williams from his five-year NRL contract after negotiating a financial settlement with the want-away star.
Details of the settlement were not disclosed but it is believed the Bulldogs were given in the vicinity of $750,000 to allow Williams to take up a two-year deal withFrench rugby club Toulon.
Williams had been under contract with the Bulldogs through to the end of the 2012 season but walked out on the club with seven games remaining in the currentcampaign.
The settlement stipulates that Williams cannot play for any other NRL club until the end of the 2012 season, though the Kiwi international has already stated hisintention never to return to rugby league.
"We remain bitterly disappointed at the manner in which Sonny Bill deserted his team-mates and his supporters," Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said in astatement.
"We have, however, reached the point where we need to get on with business and wehave withdrawn the injunction against him playing for any other club.
"Neither the Bulldogs nor Sonny Bill have anything further to gain by drawing thissituation out any further.
"With this matter resolved we now look to finishing off our final few games of the season as strongly as possible and delivering Steve Folkes the farewell he deserves."
Details of the settlement were not disclosed but it is believed the Bulldogs were given in the vicinity of $750,000 to allow Williams to take up a two-year deal withFrench rugby club Toulon.
Williams had been under contract with the Bulldogs through to the end of the 2012 season but walked out on the club with seven games remaining in the currentcampaign.
The settlement stipulates that Williams cannot play for any other NRL club until the end of the 2012 season, though the Kiwi international has already stated hisintention never to return to rugby league.
"We remain bitterly disappointed at the manner in which Sonny Bill deserted his team-mates and his supporters," Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said in astatement.
"We have, however, reached the point where we need to get on with business and wehave withdrawn the injunction against him playing for any other club.
"Neither the Bulldogs nor Sonny Bill have anything further to gain by drawing thissituation out any further.
"With this matter resolved we now look to finishing off our final few games of the season as strongly as possible and delivering Steve Folkes the farewell he deserves."
