SETTLED: Sonny Bill released, not to return

Peter Cassidy | rugbyleaguelive.com | 18/08/08 | 0

Sonny Bill Williams cannot legally return to the NRL until after the 2012 season following a settlement involving the Bulldogs and their runaway star.

The settlement will also see the Bulldogs receive a 'significant' compensation payout from Williams after he turned his back on the club with more than four years to serve on his contract.

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 with French rugby club Toulon.

Representatives of Williams made contact with the Bulldogs after a Supreme Court ruling deemed he would be in contempt of court if he continued to play for Toulon.

After lengthy discussions between Williams' representatives and the Bulldogs, the settlement was achieved today with the club legally releasing Williams from his five-year NRL contract.

"With the backing of the Courts the point has clearly been made that a contract is binding," said Bulldogs boss Todd Greenberg.

"We remain bitterly disappointed at the manner in which Sonny Bill deserted his team mates and his supporters.

"We have however reached the point where we need to get on with business and we have withdrawn the injunction against him playing for any other club (outside the NRL).  

"Neither the Bulldogs nor Sonny Bill have anything further to gain by drawing this situation out any further.

"For that reason we have accepted a significant compensation payout from Sonny Bill and a commitment that he not play for any other NRL club until his contract was due to expire at the end of the 2012 season.

"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."

Neither the Bulldogs nor Sonny Bill have anything further to gain by drawing this situation out any further... Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg