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.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
If anyone is found to have been involved in match fixing,it's horrific. Pudding the fans,your teammates and the game,nothing worse.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Horrific , is a bit over the top .
Norad
Guest
When league is dead, who will the media & the rest kick about then? NRL and its players are the new underclass of Australian society. No other class of people in Australia are allowed to be maligned and denigrated. But when it comes to league and its players anyone can trash them with impunity.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
If player X was involved and it was announced at this very important time,the Police and NRL will not hold back. The NRL did not hold back with ASADA,nor the Parramatta salary cap debacle. Any allegation that has been verified is horrific,no matter when.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
It was a thorough investigation by ASADA in the NRLregardless of the expenditure .Some players took the guilty route through a lesser penalty,other Cronulla players did not and are suing the Sharks.All players at the club involved in 2011,faced the music . I doubt there was any more carpet sweeping . Smith did not interfere with ASADA's work and that organisation noted the fact, the NRL were most professional in their handling of the matter.
clipper
Guest
They might have found more if the players didn't take the guilty route, but it would be a sad day for justice if we judged how much an investigation will cost as the criteria for going ahead.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
its the same as ASADA, they do it to make those suspected anxious and bug thier phones etc
Oingo Boingo
Guest
And will certain players from certain teams be dragged over the coals at this very important time in the season .
Agent11
Guest
is it ever, i mean are the Police serious?
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Yes there's something extremely sus about the timing of the announcement .
Fix the scrums
Guest
The match fixing issue is an allegation at this stage. But the announcement of an official widespread police investigation is massive news and it will rock the NRL. Already the media is all over this story and many people from players, officials, underworld identities etc will be interviewed. The penalties for not co operating will be huge. This supposed to be finals time for f*#ks sake.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Mine fuhrer Baird is a very powerful enemy , just ask the greyhound owners .
Cathar Treize
Guest
ABC news states 'understand there are no specific criminal allegations against any individual or NRL club at this stage'. For the police to set up a taskforce based on unsubstantiated allegations is a huge waste if taxpayers dollars. The matches in question haven't even faced scrutiny by gambling companies. One match in particular, the Manly game week after their NZ visit, has so many factors that ended in the result that occurred, these investigations are clueless, at worse have no knowledge of rugby league.
andrew
Guest
Legal gambling and match fixing - totally different things get over it. But i look forward to three articles combining the two on the Roar tomorrow.. I am guessing they will find a couple of players in trouble for betting on matches through their brothers, girlfriends fathers account, but know specific match fixing. And if they do find a person guilty of spot or match fixing remember if it is one/two persons out of over 400, it's hardly an epidemic.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Agreed. Silly to announce such a taskforce at this time of the investigation. As stupid as the Government's 'Blackest Day in Sport' ASADA show...
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
ASADA spent hardly anything on their investigation into the NRL, mainly due to their pathetic budget allocation... Your inclination that the NRL is squeaky clean so to speak is quite hilarious....
Carlos
Guest
Maybe its because Foran has shown signs of an Aukland move rather than a Belmore move...
Agent11
Guest
Well ASADA spent a heap of taxpayers money to try and dig up dirt on the NRL and found little, why not the NSW Police as well?
Minestrone
Guest
Deflection from the Wighton debacle but the horse has bolted.
Your kidding
Guest
Great timing on the eve of the finals. More bad news for the game. This could go on for a while.