News Limited newspapers report that appeals committee chairman Ian Callinan QC found that the Sharks failed to observe due process before dismissing Carney when a photograph of him attempting to urinate in his own mouth - known as 'bubbling' - appeared on Instagram last year.

Cronulla were found to have erred by not allowing Carney, now with Super League club Catalans, to plead his case before the board before sacking the NRL star.

It is uncertain what the finding will mean for Cronulla and Carney. The 28-year-old is currently out with a rib injury suffered in his second Super League appearance and has said he would like to one day return to the NRL.

Carney could use the finding as the basis of legal action against Cronulla.

Club chairman Damien Keogh was quoted as saying: "The big oversight was that someone needed to check that the process being followed was correct

"What's important to remember here is that it's not a question of the facts, it's a question of the process, but the reality of the situation is, the decision would likely have been the same.

"I wouldn't rule out Todd Carney returning to the NRL one day, but from my point of view there has been a lot of water that has flown under the bridge since last June."

smh.com.au