He was sacked from the club the day after the photo was released. However, it's claimed Carney and his manager David Riolo learned of the decision via a phone call after the press release was issued.

Legal action: Todd Carney. Credit:Getty Images

Riolo reportedly wrote to the NRL at the time claiming the Sharks did not follow the correct protocol for dealing with disciplinary issues as agreed in the collective bargaining agreement between the NRL and the Rugby League Players' Association. "There are things within the NRL contract, a process that needs to be followed and it is clear as day what you have to do and that is send a breach notice," he said last year. "That then gives the player five days' notice to attend to that and appear before the board. None of this has been followed and he has just been treated with complete disrespect."

Carney will argue he wasn't given an opportunity to respond to the complaint in the terms and accordance of Clause 8.1 of the standard NRL contract.

The clause says if a player is accused of bringing the game into disrepute the club will call upon the player (in writing) to appear before the board within five business days to show cause why no action should be taken.