Caught - Rugby Star's Bet Shame - 7M sport

Caught - Rugby Star's Bet Shame



I have a say

Posted Thursday, May 12, 2011 by The Sun

Caught - Rugby Star's Bet Shame

SUNSPORT today exposes the blackest day in rugby league history that shames the name of the sport's most famous trophy.

Doncaster captain Shaun Leaf was last night told he has no future at the club after he placed a bet on his own team to lose Sunday's fourth-round Challenge Cup tie against Wakefield by at least 38 points.

Dons boss Carl Hall, shocked by our revelations, promised an immediate investigation.

Hall said: "There is no place in the game for this. If what I'm told turns out to be true not only will he not be our captain he won't be at our club."

In an undercover operation we first interviewed Leaf and then followed him into a betting shop in Knottingley where he laid out £200 at odds of 10-11 on a Wakefield 'handicap' win.

The Super League side hit the 38-point target in the dying moments of the game and won 50-10.

Rugby League rules prohibit players from betting on any game in which their clubs are involved and Leaf now faces an RFL ban and heavy fine.

He admitted: "Really I shouldn't have done that — I've just bet against my club."

And, in another amazing confession, he also claimed he once lost £600 in another betting scam. On that occasion in Toulouse, the visitors were two points away from losing by at least 48 points.

Our revelations will blow apart a sport that prides itself on tradition and fair play. Leaf also insisted betting practices are widespread.

He said: "So many results come up and you think 'they shouldn't have beat them'."

Doncaster chief Hall added: "My heart is pounding. I have been connected with the club for 25 years and I am appalled and disgusted at what you have told me.

"I will be launching an immediate investigation to see if other players are also involved.

"If what you say turns out to be true then I am truly sorry. And it won't be a question of Shaun losing the captaincy — he won't be at the club.

"If has done all this he needs to be punished.

"I am also very surprised. We base our club meetings on trying to win every game and try to do things right as a club. But I can't control what players do in their own time."

Leaf was unavailable for comment last night.

The Sun have contacted the Rugby League but the sport's governing body failed to respond before publication.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.