redemption
New member
From today's SMH by Chris Barrett:
THE NRL will move to censure Parramatta halfback Brad Murray for placing a bet on a game, with the penalty of deregistration not being ruled out for what is considered by the game's administrators a serious offence.
The 20-year-old, who has joined the Eels from the Roosters, was shown on CCTV footage last August at a Flemington hotel to have placed a wager at a TAB counter on the exotic option of North Queensland scoring first with a penalty goal in their match against Canterbury two days later.
A major plunge on the usually novelty option, first reported by the Herald, subsequently became the focus of a brief investigation by Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy before the matter was forwarded to police. Punters stood to win more than $250,000.
There is no suggestion Murray was in any way involved in criminal activity in placing the bet. However, the NRL's regulations prohibit players from betting on competition matches, and regardless of the outcome of the police and NSW Crime Commission inquiries, he will face action from the central body.
That process will likely begin by next month, with sources saying the investigation by the State Crime Command's Racing and Casino Investigation Unit will conclude shortly. More than 80 people have been interviewed. Murray's penalty will depend largely on the size of the bet he placed.
The NRL, having left the digging into betting on the Cowboys-Bulldogs game with police since Murrihy's initial search of bets lodged, have not yet been told how much money he placed on the option that afternoon. But when they are informed of the details they are expected to act quickly. ''Anything that the police come up with will be looked at closely,'' NRL official John Brady said. ''There are a range of penalties that cover everything from deregistration to a fine. It has to fit what the offence is. They go across all codes of conduct and contractual issues.''
The Herald spoke briefly with Murray last week but he declined to comment. It is understood he was one of the key individuals summoned to assist the NSW Crime Commission, the coercive powers of which were utilised to further the hunt for evidence into betting on the Cowboys-Bulldogs game. Murray is being represented by solicitor Danny Eid, who is also acting for Murray's agent, Sam Ayoub, and Bulldogs front-rower Ryan Tandy, another Ayoub client. Eid has not returned the Herald's calls, nor have Ayoub or Tandy. Tandy and Ayoub have denied any involvement in the plunge on the game. It was reported last October that Ayoub also placed a bet on a Cowboys penalty goal, although that is not illegal.
The alleged sting was ultimately unsuccessful after the Cowboys declined a chance to kick an easy goal after two minutes, and instead scored a try. Tandy, who was penalised in front of the posts for laying on Cowboys half Grant Rovelli, strongly denied giving it away intentionally in an interview with the Herald published on August 28.
THE NRL will move to censure Parramatta halfback Brad Murray for placing a bet on a game, with the penalty of deregistration not being ruled out for what is considered by the game's administrators a serious offence.
The 20-year-old, who has joined the Eels from the Roosters, was shown on CCTV footage last August at a Flemington hotel to have placed a wager at a TAB counter on the exotic option of North Queensland scoring first with a penalty goal in their match against Canterbury two days later.
A major plunge on the usually novelty option, first reported by the Herald, subsequently became the focus of a brief investigation by Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy before the matter was forwarded to police. Punters stood to win more than $250,000.
There is no suggestion Murray was in any way involved in criminal activity in placing the bet. However, the NRL's regulations prohibit players from betting on competition matches, and regardless of the outcome of the police and NSW Crime Commission inquiries, he will face action from the central body.
That process will likely begin by next month, with sources saying the investigation by the State Crime Command's Racing and Casino Investigation Unit will conclude shortly. More than 80 people have been interviewed. Murray's penalty will depend largely on the size of the bet he placed.
The NRL, having left the digging into betting on the Cowboys-Bulldogs game with police since Murrihy's initial search of bets lodged, have not yet been told how much money he placed on the option that afternoon. But when they are informed of the details they are expected to act quickly. ''Anything that the police come up with will be looked at closely,'' NRL official John Brady said. ''There are a range of penalties that cover everything from deregistration to a fine. It has to fit what the offence is. They go across all codes of conduct and contractual issues.''
The Herald spoke briefly with Murray last week but he declined to comment. It is understood he was one of the key individuals summoned to assist the NSW Crime Commission, the coercive powers of which were utilised to further the hunt for evidence into betting on the Cowboys-Bulldogs game. Murray is being represented by solicitor Danny Eid, who is also acting for Murray's agent, Sam Ayoub, and Bulldogs front-rower Ryan Tandy, another Ayoub client. Eid has not returned the Herald's calls, nor have Ayoub or Tandy. Tandy and Ayoub have denied any involvement in the plunge on the game. It was reported last October that Ayoub also placed a bet on a Cowboys penalty goal, although that is not illegal.
The alleged sting was ultimately unsuccessful after the Cowboys declined a chance to kick an easy goal after two minutes, and instead scored a try. Tandy, who was penalised in front of the posts for laying on Cowboys half Grant Rovelli, strongly denied giving it away intentionally in an interview with the Herald published on August 28.
