Phil Gould demands a swift exoneration of Panthers South Sydney forward Michael Crocker says those involved with the handling of the ACC report effectively gambled with players' livelihoods Picture: Brett Costello Source: The Daily Telegraph PENRITH last night admitted to being bitterly disappointed at being implicated in the Australian Crime Commission's report into drug-taking, match-fixing and organised crime in the NRL and demanded a swift and complete exoneration following a visit by Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority officials. The Panthers weren't the only party seeking an apology yesterday as two of the game's most respected voices, Michael Crocker and Anthony Minichiello, claimed the ACC will have a lot to answer for if its investigation amounts to nothing. Penrith general manager Phil Gould posted a letter on the club's website yesterday after asking ASADA officials to visit the club and disclose to players and officials the information revealed to him at a meeting last Tuesday. The Panthers were one of six clubs implicated in the ACC's report released on February 7, alongside Canberra, Cronulla, Manly, Newcastle and North Queensland, although most have publicly protested their innocence. Gould said he was told at last week's meeting attended by ASADA officials, the club's legal team and representatives from the other five clubs, that the Panthers were being investigated only because of a tenuous link to sports consultant Stephen Dank. "Based on this minimal risk of exposure to the person of interest in his investigation and the fact that it was over two years ago, we find it bewildering, disappointing and extremely damaging that the Panthers name has been linked publicly to the very serious allegations of this report," Gould wrote. The Panthers brand and everyone involved with the Panthers both past and present have had their names and reputations discredited unnecessarily and unfairly. No person currently employed by this club is under any suspicion or investigation as a result of this report. To our knowledge, no person previously employed by this club has anything to fear from this investigation either. Given the very limited nature of ASADA's interest in Panthers, we expect a swift and complete exoneration. Crocker, who had a long and distinguished career in the NRL, including stints at the Sydney Roosters, Melbourne and Souths, said the ACC should be forced to apologise if it fails to come up with any evidence to support its claims. "The way they did it, they gambled with all our livelihoods," Crocker said. Sponsors could have pulled out, clubs could have gone broke. It was really disappointing the way it was handled. I think everyone does (feel tainted now). I think the community in general will cast doubts on just about everybody. Crocker's sentiments were echoed by Minichiello, who acknowledged that this weekend could be a litmus test for the code. South Sydney hosts St George Illawarra in the Charity Shield at ANZ Stadium on Friday night while the Roosters and Wests Tigers will face off for the Foundation Cup on Saturday night. Both games are regarded as traditional pre-season trials and gate figures could reflect the impact the ACC's report has had on the public's perception of the game. "I feel they should (apologise)," Minichiello said. When people look at it they think the whole of Australian sport is corrupt, which is definitely not the case. Most NRL clubs are furious at the lack of support from the game's governing body and there has been talk that they could band together and take action to seek damages over the impact of the ACC's claims.