Following his appearance before Canterbury-Bankstown’s board on Thursday, Bulldogs flyer Josh Addo-Carr was fired and the last year of his $550,000 contract was revoked.
In a statement issued Thursday evening, Bulldogs chairman Adam Druissi confirmed that the winger’s tenure at the team had ended effective immediately.
Today, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs football team announced that Josh Addo-Carr’s playing contract has been terminated, with immediate effect. The board gave this decision considerable thought, and it was not made hastily, the statement said.
Over the last three seasons, Josh has played a vital role in our team. He has given our members and fans a lot of unforgettable moments during this time.
“We recognize Josh’s appeal to our ardent fan base, and we sympathize with their disappointment that his tenure with the team has come to this end.
His dismissal follows two positive cocaine test results, the first from a September roadside drug test.
Addo-Carr stood down in the days before the match, and the event happened a week before the team’s first finals participation in eight years.
The statement further explained that the club’s decision to end his contract was due to a “lack of transparency surrounding the incident.
Building a culture based on unambiguous principles and values is crucial, as this season has shown,” the statement said.
The club believes that Josh’s failed drug test and subsequent lack of openness constitute major violations of both our club’s standards and his contractual duties, even if the NRL Integrity Unit has concluded its investigation and suspended him for four games.
Our club continues to place a high premium on player support, including extensive welfare initiatives that extend far beyond football.
We will always support our players during challenging times, but we can only accomplish this successfully when there is total transparency and trust.
“We want the best for Josh and his family in the future. Josh and his family can still get in touch with our welfare team at this time. At this time, the club will not be commenting further on this issue.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Addo-Carr stated his case on Thursday at approximately 3:30 p.m., but the club’s decision was taken two hours later during a board meeting.
The former Storm pilot was accompanied by RLPA legal counsel Sam Skinner and agency Mario Tartak, and he engaged well-known attorney Elias Tabchouri to help him during the meeting.
Although Addo-Carr’s destination is still unknown, Shane Flanagan and the Dragons have already indicated interest in hiring him.