Sacked Cronulla star Todd Carney said he was shattered when he learned a picture of him urinating in his own mouth in a nightclub toilet had been posted on social media.

Carney, who lost his $650,000-a-year contract after the picture was posted late on Saturday night, said he had no idea it existed.

"I've been through this situation before but this is the toughest," he told the Nine Network on Monday. "It's something I didn't know was out there and would surface like this. To receive the message on Saturday night was gut-wrenching."

"It was just a prank, the boys have seen me doing it before," Carney said. "I didn't know it had been taken and I didn't think it would become public.

"Much as it's hurt Cronulla, it's hurt my pride and my dignity as a person and my mum and my sisters.



"I didn't do it for a picture to be taken, I didn't do it to let anyone down."

The photograph was taken by Carney's friend Mick Robinson, who said he forwarded it to his brother.



Mick Robinson then claimed his brother had lost his phone on a day out at the races.



Later the picture was posted on Twitter.

The former NSW representative playmaker hit out at Sharks chief executive Steve Noyce for the manner in which his contract was terminated on Sunday evening.



Noyce sacked Carney from the Sydney Roosters in 2011 and the 28-year-old believes he would not have been shown the door from the club had there been someone else in charge.



Carney has also been dismissed by Canberra.



"He [Noyce] asked me what I thought should happen," Carney said.



"I just said I wanted the opportunity to talk to the players then talk to the board and the staff.



"He said he'd let me know, then 10 minutes later the boys got in touch to let me know it had happened.



"I felt betrayed and lied to.



"If he wasn't my previous CEO at the Roosters then I don't think I would have been sacked. I just hope this is not the end of me as a footballer."