The Cronulla Sharks chief executive Steve Noyce says the club is pondering its next move after the NRL rejected an appeal against the $1 million fine issued in December.
NRL boss Dave Smith and chief operating officer Jim Doyle also announced the 12-month ban imposed on Sharks coach Shane Flanagan would stand as would the cancellation of former strength and conditioning coach Trent Elkin's registration.
All of the penalties relate to Cronulla's supplements program during the 2011 season when the squad was allegedly exposed to an 11-week regime of injections, creams and tablets.
The three parties now have five business days to request a further review by the NRL Appeals Committee, headed by former High Court judge Ian Callinan and made up of former Penrith hooker Luke Priddis and ex-NSW Minister for Sport Mike Cleary.
Club officials are due to meet as soon as possible to work out their next move and Noyce says he thought the argument they put forward to the NRL was a good one.
Cronulla will begin their season on Monday against the Gold Coast with Peter Sharp in charge of the team.
Flanagan is still being paid by the Sharks and could potentially return to coach the team this season if he meets criteria laid down by the NRL which would see his ban reduced to nine months - meaning a potential return in August.
