Fresh leak increases pressure on Eels

Minutes from a Parramatta board meeting reveal the NRL club discussed the need to secure almost $600,000 and two cars as part of third-party agreements (TPAs) for their players.

The minutes from the January 2014 meeting, which have been leaked to News Corp Australia, also indicate the attendance of current CEO John Boulous, while they are signed off by current chairman Steve Sharp.

According to minutes of that meeting, the board noted for 2014 there was $589,000 in TPAs plus two cars that were outstanding and needed to be secured.

Eels director Peter Serrao also questioned the option of securing commercial revenues and Boulous told the meeting the corporate team were focused on sourcing sponsorship.

The board also discussed the fact that there needed to be a clear determination as to whether a sponsor wanted to be a corporate partner or TPA provider.

Under the NRL's salary cap rules, third-party player sponsors cannot act on behalf of a club to secure a player's services.

A Parramatta spokesman on Monday night said the club would discuss the minutes with the NRL, but defended their position in searching for TPAs for players.

"The board also discussed opportunities for legitimate options to identify TPAs and MPAs (marquee player agreements) as per NRL guidelines," he said.

The revelations come after the NRL declared it would resume their investigation into possible illegalities in the Eels' salary cap, particularly around TPAs.

The Eels could cop another heavy fine and the loss of up to 10 premiership points if found guilty of rorting the cap.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by any players or their third-party sponsors.