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The NRL’s alleged match-fixing issue will come under full investigation, with the news that the NSW Police Force has created a strike force to investigate reported “cheating at gambling” in the competition.
NSW Police released a statement on Wednesday afternoon announcing the creation of Strike Force Nuralda, which will run an investigation over the coming months to uncover if any criminal match-fixing has taken place in the NRL.
The strike force will work with the NSW Crime Commission, which had already announced its own separate match-fixing investigation into the NRL.
The NRL also issued a statement saying it will fully support the investigation, providing any assistance that is required by NSW Police, with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg clearly stating the league’s position on match-fixing.
“We are not going to pre-judge any person associated with the game while this process is underway,” Greenberg said.
“But I repeat my earlier warning that if any person is convicted of match-fixing they will face a life ban from any involvement in rugby league.”
The issue of match-fixing in rugby league first reared its head in early June of this year, when the NSW Crime Commission announced it would be investigating claims of match-fixing in the NRL. It was understood then that two matches from 2015 – both involving the Manly Sea Eagles – were the fixtures under investigation.
The early reports implicated a number of high-profile names, including former Manly and Parramatta star Kieran Foran and gambler Eddie Hayson. Both men subsequently denied any knowledge of match-fixing, with Foran also fiercely defending his friendship with the former brothel owner.
“I was heartbroken that people would think that proud club, our players, would be involved in that sort of stuff.
“I know every bloke that pulled on that jersey every week went out with the intent to win. To think that people would think that blokes would go out there to throw a game is disgusting,” Foran said.
“He [Hayson] is one of my most loyal friends. I can’t speak more highly of the bloke.”
While the duration of both investigations remains unknown, they are both set to be lengthy processes. The strike force investigation is “expected to be protracted,” as dozens of players, officials and other members of the NRL community will be interviewed.
Full statement from NSW Police
The NSW Police Force has launched an investigation following a review of information into reported cheating at gambling and match-fixing in the National Rugby League.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad have launched Strike Force Nuralda to investigate the matters and determine if any criminal offences have been committed.
Police will work closely with the NSW Crime Commission, and have the full support of the NRL.
The investigation is expected to be protracted, with dozens of players, officials, and members of the community expected to be interviewed in the coming months.
No further information is available at this time.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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