Match fixing: NRL can't take money from gambling entities and be stunned at fixing
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/the-fit...-stunned-at-match-fixing-20160603-gpaqby.html
Date
June 3, 2016 - 12:44PM
713 reading now
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist
The weirdest thing? Despite the extremely grave nature of the allegations against the Sea Eagles throwing two matches of the NRL last years, there is so little outrage from the punters, on talk-back, on twitter, in letters.
Yes, we in the media are all over it, as is the NRL, but where are the poor bastards who lose the rent money every weekend rising up in BLIND FURY at the very idea that six players might have lined their own pockets for an alleged $50K a pop, at their expense?
So many people, see, don't seem to make the connection. It is viewed as a rort to do the bookies down – not good, but not outrageous. "They're bookies. They can afford it."
And yet, where do the bookies get that money from, you mugs? Of course every red cent of it comes from the punter who put their hard-earned on the other team, on what they think is a two-horse race, not knowing that the fix is in and that one horse ain't trying. The NRL is quite right to ban for life any player proven to have been involved.
But, as to the NRL, perhaps they could spare us the hand-wringing and the stunned expressions of whoever thought this might happen? Let's start with me.
It was always going to happen, just as it always has around the world when sport and gambling get in bed together.
And as TFF has long banged on about, the NRL can't have it both ways. They can't take in money hand over fist from every gambling entity going – the NSW Origin team on Wednesday night was sponsored by Star casino – plaster the broadcasts with gambling ads and then claim to be stunned at the cancer of corruption arising in fixed game results.
As I have said many times, taking the gambling money, is like sucking on Marlboros. It's fabulous! But the more you do it, the more you cough, and the more likely you are to get a tumour in your lungs. Sooner or later, either you die a miserable death or those who've spent too long around you do. We are seeing it – ALLEGEDLY – before our very eyes.
Meantime, it is, of course, not just the two Manly matches under renewed scrutiny, and one or two players involved in that 2009 match between the Roosters and the Cowboys may well be shifting uncomfortably.
Huge money was on the Cowboys to win by 13 points or more. The Roosters were ahead 16-0 at half-time, only to lose by – wouldn't you know it?? - 32-16!
The Herald reported at the time that the team broke down entirely because of it, with fingers pointed, and allegations made that the players concerned were, among other things, getting free services at a particular brothel ...
Stand by for more on that game to come out this week.
