Sean Long has moved to clear the air over his controversial betting comments made in his well-publicised autobiography.
Controversial Saints man clears up gambling comments
Sean Long has moved to clear the air over controversial comments involving gambling made in his well-publicised autobiography.
St Helens star Long faces a possible misconduct charge after allegedly claiming that he knew of other rugby league players betting on the outcome of matches.
The 33-year-old was banned in 2004 for backing his own side to lose, but in his autobiography entitled 'Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal', Long claimed to know of other players who gambled on match results.
As the book caused a stir, Long was also quoted as saying in an interview that players still bet on match results today, but he has quickly moved to clarify those comments.
In a statement issued via his management team, Long stressed he was speaking hypothetically and not stating fact.
Interviews
"In the past two weeks I have been asked to do several media interviews in connection with the release of my autobiography," he said.
"I believe that some of my comments in these interviews have been misunderstood and misrepresented and I would like to set the record straight.
"I want to make it clear that I have never bet on rugby league since the well-publicised episode in 2004.
"Once I found out that it was against the rules of the sport, I did not do it again.
"During the recent media interviews I was asked many questions about this issue and I simply said that I guessed it may still go on, but I did also stress that I have not witnessed any other rugby league player placing a bet on the sport.
"In fact, I do not know of any other instances of betting on the game in this way.
Guessing
"In one of the interviews, I simply made the point that I guessed if any player was going to do it, they would probably ask a friend to do it for them. But, as I said, I do not believe there is a problem with betting in rugby league."
Long's book has caused a stir since its publication with a number of controversial revelations.
In it Long claimed he stood to gain £3,000 if a drop goal opened the scoring in a match against Leeds in 1998 - a bet which did not come off.
He also said that some unnamed Bradford players had money riding on the infamous 2004 match, when Saints fielded a weakened side at Odsal.
Long will play his final match for St Helens in Saturday's Grand Final against Leeds before beginning a two-year contract with Hull.
