Wests Tigers chair Marina Go has accused Penrith of unethical behaviour in its pursuit of the club’s coach, Ivan Cleary.
Speaking to Fox Sports’ League Life program on Wednesday just before heading into a club board meeting where the coaching situation will be discussed, Go accused Penrith of bad behaviour and said her club was trying to get on with business as usual.
“I think it’s really poor form that they have approached our coach when he has two years left on his contract,” she said.
Asked if Penrith were behaving unethically, Go replied, “Yes, I would say so, yes. Absolutely.”
Cleary is expected to seek a release from his Tigers contract and link with the Panthers next season, three years after being sacked from the club.
The move follows Monday’s shock sacking of Penrith coach Anthony Griffin.
Go said she missed a call from Panthers general manager Phil Gould on Wednesday morning but she is not in a hurry to return it.
“I don’t know what he wants to say … he wants to speak to me, I have no reason to speak to him,” she said.
Go said the Tigers are not “looking for sympathy” and only want what they are legally entitled to.
“We value (Cleary), he’s a fantastic coach, he’s done such great things with our club,” Go said.
“The players love him … we want to retain that, and we have every reason to, and every right to.”
Go said she spoke to Cleary on Monday night, and the coach confirmed to her in that conversation that he had been “approached” by another club.
She says she came out of that conversation “feeling positive” and nothing has changed since then.
The club has been steadfast in its position that they would not let Cleary walk out on his contract.
“Ivan has not asked for a release,” Go said.
“Even if he were seeking a release we wouldn’t grant him a release. That position hasn’t changed.”