When he took the stage at Homebush Bay in 2006 to speak on behalf of the no vote, Mr [Tony Papaconstuntinos] found himself being jeered by members of thecrowd as “slippery fingers Papa” and a “crook”.

Mr [Holmes a Court], who remains a shareholder and director of the club, denied he had tried to enlist people “to do his dirty work” or to “stir the pot”.

IT was never the intention of multi-millionaire Peter Holmes a Court or actor Russell Crowe to denigrate the legends of rugby league in their battle to take control of South Sydney’s famous football club.

Mr Holmes a Court spent yesterday afternoon in the witness box at the NSW Supreme Court defending himself against a defamation case arising from theheated exchanges that took place prior to the pair’s purchase of the club in 2006. They have since poured millions into the Rabbitohs in an attempt to revive the club’s fortunes.

Union figure Tony Papaconstuntinos is suing Mr Holmes a Court for alleged defamation.

When he took the stage at Homebush Bay in 2006 to speak on behalf of the no vote, Mr Papaconstuntinos found himself being jeered by members of the crowd as “slippery fingers Papa” and a “crook”.

Mr Holmes a Court wrote a letter to the NSW secretary of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, Andrew Ferguson, alleging that Mr Papaconstuntinos had used the position of his son, Jamie Papa, to channel club funds to him and the CFMEU. He alleged Mr Papa was paid a salary many times higher than was appropriate.

Mr Papaconstuntinos has told the NSW Supreme Court he was hurt and angered by the unfounded allegations.

Mr Holmes a Court, who remains a shareholder and director of the club, denied he had tried to enlist people “to do his dirty work” or to “stir the pot”.

He said some members of the no group were highly regarded in the rugby league community. “Any denigration of these people from anyone on our side of thevote might be falsely interpreted that Russell or I held those views,” he said.

The case will resume this morning.

Credit: John Stapleton