The National Rugby League (NRL) has banned Manly Sea Eagles’ winger David Williams for the rest of the season after he was caught betting on league matches, including several games that he was a part of.
Four others received suspensions, including Ethan Lowe, Cody Nelson, Hymel Hunt and Slade Griffin. The four only received two game bans because their bets didn’t involve their own teams.
The NRL made the announcement after the transgressions were discovered during an investigation by its integrity unit.The 27-year-old Williams placed bets from $5 to $60 on league matches throughout the season. The betting amounts are rather small but the NRL’s betting policy calls for zero-tolerance on its players gambling on league matches.
NRL Chief Operating Officer Jim Doyle said that because of the relatively small bets, Williams wasn’t under suspicion of fixing any of the games.The league wanted to make sure NRL players understand the consequences of betting on league matches, regardless of the size of their bets.
The NRL also fired three casual match-day officials and suspended nine others for the rest of the season for similar betting infractions.
The players have the right to appeal their suspensions, although it’s expected the punishments will be upheld to set a precedent and to discourage other players from this type of behavior.
