'Significant allegations': Knights under investigation over third-party deal in Kalyn Ponga contract

Newcastle is under investigation by the NRL over a potential salary cap breach regarding a third-party deal for star captain Kalyn Ponga.

According to Nine and The Sydney Morning Herald reporter Michael Chammas on 100% Footy, the club is being probed after a series of meetings last week.

Ponga's father and manager, Andre, raised the issue with the Knights and the NRL integrity unit amid claims the fullback hadn't been paid a six-figure sum by a registered third party after he signed a new deal a number of years ago.

READ MORE: Kambosos threatens 'cheating dog' after wild wife claim

READ MORE: Awful details of racial abuse allegations uncovered

READ MORE: Gal: Radical change Blues need after Cleary injury

It is alleged Ponga has not been paid retrospectively and if proven to be true, the Knights could be forced to absorb the sum in their salary cap.

"All third parties are registered with the NRL," a club spokesperson told The Herald.

"There's no issue with Kalyn Ponga's contract and anything to do with third parties remain between the player and his agent to resolve."

Ponga's third-party deal was registered by the NRL at the time according to Chammas, but suggested it could have major ramifications for the Knights.

"They have said it hasn't got anything to do with them," Chammas told 100% Footy.

"They had a meeting last Friday with Andre Ponga - who actually raised the complaint with the NRL - over allegations that his son was owed a third-party deal from 2020 to 2022. The details are still starting to come out, but this is a significant development.

"It's a pretty serious situation. The allegations are significant, it's a six-figure sum that he allegedly hasn't been paid."

Ponga is contracted with Newcastle until the end of 2027 on a rich contract, but Chammas conceded he could explore options should the situation worsen.

Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Bulldogs boss Phil Gould however believes it's not the club who is at fault given the way the third-party deal was negotiated and registered at the time.

Can David Fifita join this list? Every club's best recruit of the NRL era

Can David Fifita join this list? Every club's best recruit of the NRL era

"I wouldn't be jumping to too many conclusions," he said.

"I think Newcastle Knights are protected by the fact that the NRL approved this third-party by the sounds of it. If he hasn't been paid - that's really between Kalyn and that sponsor as to whether or not work was performed.

"I don't know if it's really got a lot to do with the Knights or the NRL. At the moment, it would sound to me that the Knights are pretty well protected."

Newcastle and Ponga are yet to publicly address the allegations or investigation.