The 5 biggest betting scandals in rugby history after Maro Itoje controversy
Rugby NewsThursday, 12 January 2023 at 10:30
The Rugby Football Union and World Rugby want to protect the integrity of the game by ensuring that all matches are contested on a level playing field and are won on merit. That means that if you work in or are otherwise involved in professional or semi-professional rugby you:
- DO NOT bet on any rugby match (or ask anyone to place a bet for you) anywhere in the world.
- DO NOT misuse or pass on inside information e.g. details of injuries, selection, etc. if not already public knowledge. Be careful on social media! (What is Inside Information? – see below)
- DO NOT accept money or gifts from anyone who is betting on rugby or in return for giving inside information or underperforming in a match.
- DO NOT fix or attempt to fix any part of a match
- REPORT any approach, activity or anything suspicious or unusual that comes to your attention
These rules cover everyone involved in the professional game – including all international players, all Premiership players, all Championship players, all Academy players and all other contracted players. It also applies to agents, match officials, disciplinary personnel, coaches, analysts, health professionals, selectors, academy personnel, team officials, and owners, directors and personnel of Unions, clubs, rugby bodies and associations, involved in professional or semi-professional rugby.
The following are also prohibited:
- Fixing a match or attempting to fix a match
- Benefitting from failing to perform
- Soliciting, inducing encouraging (or attempting to) any other party to do any of the above offences
- Posing a threat to the integrity of rugby
- Destruction of evidence in relation to a potential breach
- Failing to report suspicions or approaches
After the latest controversy, we looked back at five famous betting scandals which rocked the world of rugby.
#1. Rob Howley
On September 17, 2019, Rob Howley was dismissed from Wales' Rugby World Cup training camp in Japan due to a violation of sports betting regulations.
He was subsequently given an 18-month ban, with 9 months suspended, after being found guilty of placing 363 bets on rugby union games, involving a total of 1,163 matches.
Howley attributed his betting behavior to his sister's depression, alcoholism and untimely passing.
#2. Martin Gleeson
Rugby league faced a major betting scandal in 2004, when then St Helens duo Sean Long and Martin Gleeson, who is currently part of the England coaching staff, were found guilty of misconduct in placing bets against their team.
They were banned for three and four months respectively, fined £7,500 each and ordered to pay costs of £2,205 each.
#3. Phil Blake
In 2015, the former Leicester Tigers defence coach has been handed a six-month ban by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel, having been found guilty of two breaches of RFU Regulation 17 (Anti-Corruption and Betting).
The 51-year-old Australian was charged with betting on two matches, Leicester’s Champions Cup game against Toulon in December and the Premiership meeting with Newcastle in March.
The ban began on 24 May and will run until 24 November, and Blake was also fined £669 (the profit made on the bets placed).
Blake, who placed the bets on touch-screen self-service machines at Leicester’s Grosvenor Casino, told the disciplinary panel: "Having my whole career on the line for a minimum gain is something I will regret for the rest of my life."
#4. Maro Itoje's agent
In April 2018, the agent of England rugby player Maro Itoje, Matt Hart of Stellar Management Group, who also represents high-profile athletes such as Gareth Bale, was banned for two years for placing over 1,400 bets on rugby matches, which is a violation of the sport's rules.
He received a 22-month suspension for two offenses. The investigation revealed that Hart placed bets on 1,476 rugby matches worldwide over a three-and-a-half year period between January 2013 and July 2016, using a Bet365 account registered under his name, and profited from the successful bets.
The account received deposits of over £650,000 during that period.
An independent panel organized by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and chaired by Philip Evans QC, found that Matt Hart's betting behavior was 'extensive and frequent' and could be considered as high-stakes.
The panel also revealed that between March and April 2016, Hart placed 10 bets totaling more than £138,000, with the highest individual bet being worth £16,234.59.
Maro Itoje of Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium on 18 June 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#5. Midlands Hurricanes
The most recent example, the Rugby Football League (RFL) imposed a three-month ban on Midlands Hurricanes head coach, Richard Squires, for violating RFL betting regulations in April 2022.
One month of the ban will be suspended.
The RFL was notified in March that Squires had placed bets on Rugby League matches, including those involving his own team.
A compliance investigation found him guilty of breaking several rules, including the RFL's Code of Conduct on Betting and related activities.
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