The NRL is in dissaray today after yesterdays news that one of the strongest clubs in the league has in fact been cheating for the past half a decade.

It was confirmed on Thursday that Melbourne Storm, the club who has dominated the league for the past five years, has in fact been breaching salary cap rules. The club now faces tough penalties which could see them eventually fall from the league.

In the past five years it is believed the club had overplayed their players by $1.7 million, $700,000 of which was paid this year.

As a result, the Storm will have their 2007 and 2009 premierships stripped off them, as well as the 3 preseason cups they have won.

In addition they will have all their premiership points form this year taken away, and will not be able to accrue any more points for the year.

The club will also have to pay $1.7 million in prize money they have won in the past half a decade to the rest of the clubs in the league.

There is now doubt whether the players and staff at Melbourne actually knew what was going on.

Brian Waldron, who was in charge of the Storm during the time, will be investigated and is in doubt of holding his job at the new rugby union franchise the Melbourne Rebels.

Parramatta and Many have both asked for compensation, saying they would have won premierships had it not been for the cheating by Melbourne.

Melbourne Storm now faces a tough battle to remain in the league, and to win back the support of fans that have been lied to and betrayed.