The National Rugby League "has been rocked by claims" that the New South Wales Organised Crime Squad is investigating up to six NRL players for allegedly receiving A$50,000 ($36,100) each "to throw a match last season, with one million dollars invested in one game," according to Carayannis & Wilson of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. It is understood "two games involving Manly" are at the center of the police investigation.
Manly’s 20-8 loss to South Sydney in June, 2015, and its 20-16 defeat to Parramatta in August "are at heart of the inquiry." Players in the thick of the investigation "can expect their bank accounts to be examined while it is understood some phones have already been tapped." The man alleged to be at the focal point of police investigations "is former brothel owner Eddie Hayson, who is understood to have had a part in outlaying" A$700,000 on Manly to lose by more than eight points to the Rabbitohs in the round 16 game.
A total of A$300,000 "was then allegedly paid to six players," $50,000 each, to facilitate the fix. While reports suggested a jockey "was asked to place some of the bets on Hayson’s behalf," Hayson "vigorously denied any wrongdoing." A police spokesperson said, "The Organised Crime Squad is in the early stages of examining information to alleged match fixing in the NRL. No further comment is appropriate at this stage." A host of betting agencies "reported no suspicious betting on the matches" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 6/2).
HARSH PENALTIES: In Sydney, Barrett & Proszenko wrote NRL CEO Todd Greenberg on Thursday "promised life bans for any players or officials implicated in a new NSW police investigation centred around two premiership matches last season." Greenberg said, "I want everyone in rugby league to hear me very directly today. If, and it remains an if, any allegation of match fixing is proven against any person, whether a player or an official, they will face the harshest possible penalties. This is not yet a formal investigation by police. There are no specific charges yet. They are in the early stages of making an assessment. But let me be clear, whatever they want, they will get from the NRL and our integrity unit. ... If any allegations are proven then we will ban anyone found guilty for life."
Geoff Toovey, who was Manly head coach last year for both of the games, said on Thursday that "he did not believe there had been anything untoward take place but encouraged the allegations to be tested." Toovey said, "The game needs to deal with these allegations. They need to be forthright and completed in a fast and thorough way. They have to either dismiss it completely or find out what went on."
Toovey added, tongue in cheek, "I think they should investigate both sides for that Parramatta game, they were both terrible" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 6/2).
PERSON OF INTEREST: Also in Sydney, Kate McClymont wrote controversial gambler Hayson "is embroiled" in the investigation into allegations of match-fixing. The week before the match, Hayson "is alleged to have collected" A$500,000 in cash to bet on the match. The bet "involved Souths winning by more than eight points." A jockey, on the instructions of Hayson, is also understood to have wagered A$120,000 "on the same outcome with a bookmaker." Hayson later instructed the jockey to put another A$100,000 on "but the bookmaker refused the second wager." A source, who declined a request by Hayson to contribute to the scheme, said, "The reason it [the betting] didn't come under suspicion was because the Rabbits were favorites. They were giving away seven and a half points. So they had to win by eight points or more which they did win." He said that Hayson "told him six players were involved" (SMH, 6/2).
