Two Batley Bulldogs players have had their suspensions for breaching the sport’s rules relating to betting reduced on appeal.
Jonny Campbell had his suspension for placing bets on a number of matches, including the 2013 Kingstone Press Championship Grand Final, Batley Bulldogs v Sheffield Eagles, in which he played, reduced from 12 months to nine.
Campbell placed a bet for the first points of the Grand Final to come from a Batley penalty goal and placed a handicap bet on the fixture.
Ayden Faal had his suspension for placing a bet on the first points of the 2013 Kingstone Press Championship Grand Final to come from a Batley penalty goal reduced from six months to four. Faal did not play in the match.
Under RFL Operational Rules D1:10(c) players shall not be involved in any manner or capacity whatsoever, whether for his own account or on behalf of any other person, in any betting in respect of any Rugby League match or competition.
Players are also bound by Operational Rule E5 in the Code of Conduct which prevents the placing, accepting, laying or otherwise entering into any wager, bet or other form of financial speculation with any individual, company, organisation or other body in relation to the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any match, competition or event.
Campbell and Faal were also deemed to have breached Operational Rule E5.3.1.3.1 which forbids players from using in relation to betting any information they have by virtue of their position within the sport that is not in the public domain or readily accessible by the public.
Both players were investigated after the activity came to light through intelligence supplied by the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit of the Gambling Commission, with whom the RFL works collaboratively to monitor betting activity.
