Five NRL Players Suspended In Gambling Scandal

The NRL has handed down suspensions to five players for their involvement in betting on rugby league matches.

NRL Chief Operating Officer Jim Doyle held a press conference on Thursday afternoon, naming five suspended players and issuing a harsh warning for future offenders.

“This is the first time the NRL has ever tackled this issue in such an extent and in a pro-active way,” Doyle said.

“These are tough issues to deal with, but it shows we’re willing to tackle the hard issues to protect the integrity of the sport.

“The NRL has suspended one player for the rest of the season and four other players for two games for betting on rugby league matches.”

Manly’s David Williams received a suspension for the remainder of the 2014 season for placing a number of bets on professional sporting events, some of which he was involved in. Ethan Lowe (North Queensland), Cody Nelson (Gold Coast), Hymel Hunt (Melbourne), and Slade Griffin (Melbourne) were each suspended for two matches for betting on matches their clubs were involved in, but which they did not play in.

Three casual game-day officials were also terminated and 19 other suspended for the rest of the season.

12 other NRL registered players were issued first and final warnings for minor bets on rugby league matches.

“Fans can have confidence there is no evidence of a widespread problem of betting on our game and certainly not match-fixing,” Doyle added.

“The majority of cases where small bets, often as little as $5, but today is a clear statement to everyone involved in rugby league that you are taking a major risk if you bet on matches.

“We are adopting a zero tolerance policy from this point on and if you are caught betting on rugby league matches in the future you will spend a long time on the sidelines or you will be sacked no matter how small the bet.”

The “relatively small bets” ranged from $5-60 with no potential for match-fixing, according to Doyle.

Doyle also said the league opted not to name the casual game-day officials involved in betting, citing their full-time employment in other professions and their essential volunteer status within the league.

Photo: Getty Images

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