Todd Carney’s manager David Riolo has leapt to the defence of his client, saying a lewd photograph of the Cronulla player was never intended to be made public.

“It’s a setup, like when people stand in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa,” Riolo told Fairfax Media.

“Todd’s paid a very, very heavy price for a photo that he didn’t want out there or upload himself. It was supposed to be kept between mates.

“The person who took the photo contacted me this morning by text and said `my phone got lost’, supposedly, and that’s how the photo got out. It was meant to be a joke.

“He’s now got a photo of himself gone worldwide in not a very pleasant setting that’s going to be on the net for his family and everyone to see for future generations. That in itself is a very big price to pay.”

Former Sharks chairman Damian Irvine claimed on Twitter the latest incident by Carney was the latest in a long line since he was signed by the club in 2012 and that was the reason behind his sacking.

However, Riolo denied this was the case and said there were many incorrect rumours regarding his most problematic client.

“There’s been no serious allegations that I’m aware of that have come across my desk in writing,” he said.

“I get a thousand emails every time Todd seems to step out.”

Meanwhile, Cronulla players abandoned a weights and gym session on Monday morning following an emotional and occasionally fiery meeting with Sharks chief executive Steve Noyce over the sacking of Todd Carney.

Carney had his contract torn up on Sunday night by the crisis-torn club following the publishing on social media of a lewd photograph of the 28-year-old five-eighth in a nightclub toilet.

It was the third time the former NSW playmaker has been sacked by a NRL team following an alcohol-fuelled incident with Canberra in 2008 and the Sydney Roosters dismissing him in 2011.

“The players had a meeting with Noycey, and he outlined to them why Todd had to be sacked and they were allowed to have their say,” a Sharks spokesman told AAP.

“The session wasn’t cancelled as such, it was more rescheduled until tomorrow, but a few of the players needed to clear their heads and went off to do their own thing.”

A battery of TV cameras greeted the players at Remondis Stadium and some members of the squad reacted angrily as they departed in what has become the latest drama affecting the club, which is still under the microscope of the ASADA investigation.