One of the world's most successfully and controversially created sporting franchises is in tatters following the revelation of a million-pound fraud at the Melbourne Storm. The Storm, the rugby league club implanted in Aussie Rules territory 12 years ago, have been stripped of the titles they won in 2007 and 2009 after being found to have breached their salary cap by more than A$1.7 million (£1m) over the last five years. They also lose the World Club Challenge title they won against Leeds earlier this year – and the prize money from all their successes. "The Melbourne Storm have been the dominant force in the NRL [National Rugby League] for the past five years and it is clear to see now why," said the Leeds chief executive, Gary Hetherington. The Rhinos will not be seeking, however, to have the World Club Challenge awarded to them retrospectively. The £50,000 prize money is a slightly different matter; the Rugby League's board of directors will discuss the matter at its next meeting, but the money is more likely to be divided among Super League clubs than handed directly to Leeds. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...1m-prize-money-for-wagecap-fraud-1951742.html
