Doncaster captain Shaun Leaf has been suspended after allegations that he bet on his side to lose a Challenge Cup match.
Investigation launched into newspaper claim that Doncaster skipper bet on his side to lose
Doncaster captain Shaun Leaf has been suspended with immediate effect by the Rugby Football League after allegations that he bet on his side to lose a Challenge Cup match.
The RFL said that they have launched an investigation into the claim, made in Thursday's edition of
The Sun, that Leaf bet on Doncaster to lose Sunday's tie against Wakefield by at least 38 points.
Kieran Hyde scored an interception try in the last minute of the match at the Keepmoat Stadium as the Wildcats ran out 50-10 winners. Leaf missed the match with a thumb injury.
The 27-year-old has been provisionally suspended for an alleged breach of RFL operational rules and the sport's betting code of conduct.
The RFL say they are also looking into an alleged breach of rules surrounding a Co-operative Championship fixture in 2009.
Leaf told the newspaper that he lost £600 when home side Toulouse were two points away from winning by at least 48.
Shocked
"The RFL will be making no further comment on these cases until the conclusion of the investigations," said a spokesman.
Doncaster chief executive Carl Hall, who is also the club's main shareholder, said: "I'm shocked but there's not much more I can say at this stage.
"We're working closely with the Rugby League and, when their full investigation is completed, we will make a statement. I've been told that's all I can say."
Club chairman John Scarrow confirmed an internal inquiry has been launched.
"The club consider this a serious matter," he said. "We will be thoroughly investigating it in a proper and timely manner."
In 2004, St Helens duo Sean Long and Martin Gleeson were each fined £7,500 and respectively handed three-month and four-month suspensions for betting on their under-strength team to lose by more than eight points in a Super League match at Bradford.
