Australian police to investigate NRL match-fixing allegations
Wednesday 7 September 2016 08:42, UK
Australian police have launched a major investigation into allegations of match-fixing in the National Rugby League.
It is expected that "dozens" of players and official will be interviewed by a special task force, established three months after initial enquiries were made into allegations surrounding a number of championship matches last year.
"Police will work closely with the New South Wales crime commission, and have the full support of the NRL," New South Wales police said in a statement.
"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."
The statement gave no details of the matches involved and the NRL said it would provide any assistance requested by police.
"We are not going to pre-judge any person associated with the game while this process is under way," NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said in a statement.
"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."
In June, NSW police said their organised crime unit was in the "early stage" of probing match-fixing in the NRL after local media reported suspicions over two championship matches involving the Sydney-based Manly Sea Eagles last year.
The matches were against South Sydney Rabbitohs and a third Sydney side, Parramatta Eels, the Daily Telegraph said.
Last month, broadcaster Channel Seven reported the NRL was also probing a match between Manly and Parramatta.
