Eel called for bets hearing
- Source: The Daily Telegraph
PARRAMATTA half Brad Murray has been subpoenaed to take the stand at today's court hearing into the NRL match-fixing scandal.
All three figures charged in relation to a NSW Crime Commission investigation of last year's round 24 Bulldogs-Cowboys clash - former Canterbury prop Ryan Tandy, player agent Sam Ayoub and colourful league identity John Elias - are scheduled to appear at Downing Centre Local Court this morning.
The Daily Telegraph, however, has learned that Murray will also attend after being served a subpoena by Ayoub's legal team last month.
The 21-year-old was approached in the dressing rooms after completing a Bundaberg Cup game for Eels feeder side Wentworthville.
Crime Commission detectives spoke to Murray after footage of the player placing a bet on the Cowboys to open the scoring with a penalty goal was uncovered.
It is understood he provided a statement in the presence of at least one high-ranking Parramatta official.
Murray has since been cleared as a person of interest, with Eels chief executive Paul Osborne stating two weeks ago that detectives had told the club the playmaker had no case to answer.
It was unclear last night what evidence, if any, Murray would be called upon to provide today. Both Ayoub and his lawyer, Danny Eid, declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.
Ayoub is also Murray's agent, but has been prevented by the court from making direct contact with his young client. On Monday, Eid was unsuccessful in his bid to have police hand over their full brief of evidence supporting the charge against Ayoub.
Both Ayoub and Elias have been charged with attempting to gain financial advantage through deception.
It is alleged both put bets on the Cowboys penalty goal option. Ayoub entered a not guilty plea on Monday and Elias is expected to do likewise today.Tandy has been charged with four counts of providing the commission false or misleading information.
He has pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
The front-rower, 29, was stood down by the Bulldogs in early February and then sacked midway through March when he refused to answer a direct question relating to allegations that he placed a bet on an earlier Bulldogs game against the Titans. Tandy remained silent on legal advice, believing any response might have compromised the criminal proceedings against him.
He is now suing the Bulldogs for unfair dismissal and training alone in the hope of securing a new start with another NRL club or in England. sHe also commenced sports sessions with students from Father Chris Reilly's Youth Off The Streets campus in Merrylands this week.
