Match Fixing !

Nothing destroys a sporting code like the crime of "Match Fixing "!   Supporters are passionate people and the very idea that players are getting paid to lose will cause spectator numbers to drop and find other interests.  Those who place a legitimate bet on games or take part in the numerous tipping competitions are being robbed when the game results are contrived.

The spotlight is shining on the Manly Sea Eagles.  Two games last season had very surprising results. Manly suffered a 20-8 loss to South Sydney and a 20-16 loss to Parramatta.   That ran entirely against the grain and suspicion mounted when it was also revealed to be the focus of a giant betting plunge.

A well known local identity placed a $700,000 bet on Manly to lose by eight points - which ran entirely against the predictions of the pollsters and attracted consequent big odds. Scuttlebutt has it that six players received a cool $50,000 each for their help ensuring that the loss occurred at the correct margin of odds to deliver that bonanza.

Now the matter is in the hands of the police Organized Crime Squad.   The NRL has made if abundantly clear that its records will be open and it will assist the police in every way to investigate this crime, and those found guilty can expect life suspension from the game of Rugby League.

Expect teams of forensic police to comb through the financial records of the suspected players - and their families.   If they have mysteriously acquired an expensive new car or there are unusual deposits in their bank accounts they will be called upon to  explain the source of this wealth.   It may be that the loot has been stashed under the mattress, but such is the free spending social life of big name players that it is more likely to leave spending footprints.

Match fixing is a world sporting problem.   It seems that cricket in India is rife with crime interests infiltrating the competition and similar forays have been detected in American baseball.  From time to time it crops up in Soccer and there have been accusations that money has been changing hands to decide game results in the tennis competitions.

In many instances this is small time crime.   A promising player matched against a hopeless entrant in the lower ranks appears to be having a bad day and loses against the odds.  No such pattern emerges and that lapse is put down to "happenance ".    It can be tempting to those short of money to indulge the wishes of a gangster - and at the same time solve their money problems.

In this NRL scandal it seems more a case of sheer greed.  Sporting stars receive handsome playing fees and are feted by the media.  They often seem to live life to excess and their antics off the playing field sometimes infringe the law.   Recently, it has been revealed that some players have been consorting with gangsters - and that worries those managing sporting codes.

In the past all sorts of bad behaviour has been tolerated with light punishment. Excess use of alcohol or drugs brings short suspensions and lately any sort of physical abuse of wives or girl friends has been deemed totally unacceptable.   If the proof emerges that NRL players have engaged in match fixing that will not be swept under the carpet.

The only punishment for this most serious of sporting crime - is banishment from the game - for life !