NRL: Secret recordings put Sharks boss back in spotlight

Cronulla chief executive Tony Zappia. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Cronulla chief executive Tony Zappia has put the NRL club back in the spotlight following the airing of secret recordings of his off-handed treatment of a former employee that he accidentally punched in the face.

Former Sharks employee Jenny Hall covertly taped a meeting with Zappia following the incident in August last year.

Network Seven said Hall claimed that Zappia cornered the then 25-year-old in a hallway and came up close and stood on both her feet.

She said she got angry and he lashed out. She initially questioned whether his punch was accidental.

"Do you admit it was accidental?" Zappia said in the recording.

Hall replied: "I don't know how you could have accidentally hit me this hard. Look at my eye."

Later in the report it stated that Hall had agreed with Zappia that it was an accident but it has been reported the then community liaison officer had been paid A$20,000 ($25,608.19) by the Sharks.

Zappia has previously said the incident was an accident and he was simply shadow boxing.

In the report on Sunday night, Hall expressed her annoyance at how the incident was being handled and Zappia replied: "Do you want to spank me?"

Hall, now living interstate, said later in the recorded conversation that she would be taking three days of sick leave to recover from the blow but Zappia said that wouldn't be happening.

"No, you're not, you're not taking it as sick leave," Zappia replied.

Zappia also opened an email with pornographic content during the meeting with Hall and showed it to her and his female personal assistant.

Zappia defended his actions in comments made on Sunday night.

"A set-up, you wouldn't know and how when the quotes (by the woman) were edited," Zappia told The Australian's website.

"I strongly deny showing the girls anything that was sent to my computer.

"It was an email sent by a junior member of staff.

"There was no attachment and it showed Latvian women in bikinis.

"I challenge anyone to talk to all members of my staff to verify what happened."

Zappia's behaviour is the latest drama for the embattled club.

There have been revelations over the 2002 Christchurch sex scandal, the positive drug test of Reni Maitua and allegations of former skipper Paul Gallen racially abusing St George Illawarra's Mickey Paea.

Not to mention the club being in major financial strife.

In the only bright news, the Sharks have won their last two matches to move to a share of equal last on the ladder on points with the Sydney Roosters.

- AAP