by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Adelaide's Simon Goodwin, Melbourne defender Daniel Ward, Sydney rookie Kieran Jack, and Kangaroo David Hale have all come under investigation for gambling. While none actually bet on or against their respective teams, it is believed they did place wagers on other football games in direct contravention to the very strict AFL rules against betting on games or other football related events such as the Brownlow Meda, competition.
The rules regarding gambling extend to anyone connected to the game - players, club officials, umpires, etc. If found guilty, the players will face sanctions ranging from fines to hefty suspensions.
It is believed the gambling was discovered after the players had placed bets with TAB Sportsbet. Although the betting outfit keeps customer information confidential, it signed an agreement with the AFL last year which would allow the release of information to league officials when suspicious betting took place. It was under this agreement by which the AFL discovered the rule breach. The league hopes to complete its inquiry within two weeks.
While players - as well as others involved in the game - do bet on other sports, which is permissible, none have ever been caught before betting on football. However, it is not the first time that gambling has caused a scandal. In 1910, Carlton players Doug Fraser, Doug Gillespie, and Alex "Bongo" Lang were dropped from the semi-final team amidst allegations they had been bribed by parties unknown to play dead during the match. Subsequent hearings by the VFL failed to uncover the culprit or culprits responsible for the bribes. Gillespie was cleared but played for Brunswick in the VFA the following season. He returned to Carlton in 1912 for one more year. Lang was banned for five years, then returned to play for 2 more seasons. Fraser, who had played just 11 games for the Blues, was also found guilty and suspended for five seasons, but never played again.
Source: skynews.com.au, Melbourne Age, The Blue Boys (by Brian Hansen), Encyclopedia of League Footballers
Adelaide's Simon Goodwin, Melbourne defender Daniel Ward, Sydney rookie Kieran Jack, and Kangaroo David Hale have all come under investigation for gambling. While none actually bet on or against their respective teams, it is believed they did place wagers on other football games in direct contravention to the very strict AFL rules against betting on games or other football related events such as the Brownlow Meda, competition.
The rules regarding gambling extend to anyone connected to the game - players, club officials, umpires, etc. If found guilty, the players will face sanctions ranging from fines to hefty suspensions.
It is believed the gambling was discovered after the players had placed bets with TAB Sportsbet. Although the betting outfit keeps customer information confidential, it signed an agreement with the AFL last year which would allow the release of information to league officials when suspicious betting took place. It was under this agreement by which the AFL discovered the rule breach. The league hopes to complete its inquiry within two weeks.
While players - as well as others involved in the game - do bet on other sports, which is permissible, none have ever been caught before betting on football. However, it is not the first time that gambling has caused a scandal. In 1910, Carlton players Doug Fraser, Doug Gillespie, and Alex "Bongo" Lang were dropped from the semi-final team amidst allegations they had been bribed by parties unknown to play dead during the match. Subsequent hearings by the VFL failed to uncover the culprit or culprits responsible for the bribes. Gillespie was cleared but played for Brunswick in the VFA the following season. He returned to Carlton in 1912 for one more year. Lang was banned for five years, then returned to play for 2 more seasons. Fraser, who had played just 11 games for the Blues, was also found guilty and suspended for five seasons, but never played again.
Source: skynews.com.au, Melbourne Age, The Blue Boys (by Brian Hansen), Encyclopedia of League Footballers
Article last changed on Sunday, February 18, 2007 - 6:19 PM EST
