Scandal ...again

[Guest]

OK, stripping their 1971 premiership might be a bit strict, but how about they strip them of their next premiership, whenever that might be?

You can't strip something that won't ever happen.

[kurtsherlock6]

Did I mention I just want to see Souths go down!!

Probably, but you can say it as many times as you like. We can only hope.

[Bansai Pipeline]

Performance enhancing drugs in sport is one thing. That's bigger than League or AFL or Australia. That's a global issue.

But match fixing, that's something else.

If we threw matches, I fully support lifetime bans for any of our players.

Fcuk that.

As a lifelong football fan, that's heart breaking.

[Rooster_6]

Interesting comments form one of our own;

Ted Helliar @ted_helliar

There is an Australian crime commission report but no names, no evidence and no information released. Is it a co-ordinated scare campaign?

Maybe they're aware of it all but can't prove it. Given how incompetent the handling of the Storm's salary cap investigation was by Deloitte & the NRL it wouldn't be surprising if they struggle to find hard evidence yet again...

[stsae]

The Broncos are as squeaky clean as News Ltd.

I almost choked on my beer this arvo when I heard it mate.


Seems at least someone else is asking the question of administrators not just little old p-noid me. See my thing with NewsFilth isn't about blaming them for every ill in RL. But fark me they are NEVER blamed for ANYTHING. Teflon.

But of course they will again find a patsy and everyone will point where they are supposed to.

Link: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/damning-...207-2e143.html


Damning report points finger of blame at leaders of each game

February 7, 2013 - 6:40PM

Richard Hinds
Chief Sports Columnist

The Australian Crime Commission's report into sports corruption is unflinching in its rhetoric. It evokes images of organised crime, match-fixing and, disturbingly, "drugs not approved for human use" encroaching upon our supposedly innocent past-times.

But one sentence that is neither sensational nor shocking will haunt administrators across the codes should the report's most serious claims be proven. It is the commission's answer to a key question – how had an insidious link between our major sports and organised crime been formed, and gone unbroken?

"This is facilitated by a lack of appropriate levels of due diligence by sporting clubs and sports governing bodies when entering into business arrangements," the report said. It is a statement that cuts to the heart of matter. One that should make Australian sport blush. Particularly those administrators who have failed to protect their leagues, and consequently their fans, from systematic cheating.

After the era of the mustachioed female shot-putter from East Germany, the broad shouldered Chinese swimmer and the BALCO-fuelled rockets wearing stars and stripes, some officials have been – in the best-case scenario – blithely unaware of what takes place in their own sheds. Or, in the worst case, complicit to previously unimagined levels of systematic corruption.

The scapegoats will be assembled. The sports scientists with sinister nicknames, the organised criminals preying on feckless athletes and the rogue officials and coaches working outside the system. But it is the administrations which allowed corruption to fester which should be called to account if allegations lead to convictions.

Despite the aggressive language of the report, and the two government ministers who presented it – Justice Minister Jason Clare and Sports Minister Kate Lundy – an "if" still resounds. Legal sensitivities mean we have seen only a "snapshot", not the full picture. A glimpse of the accusations of widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs, match-fixing and manipulation of betting markets. We await sport's day in court.

Clearly the report was released, while the investigation into specific cases continues, as a statement of intent. Its forceful language is calculated to frighten and cajole potential witnesses. "Don't underestimate how much we know," Clare said. "If you are involved in this, come forward before you get a knock on the door."

The cynical will detect political overtones. Lundy's reference to the "Gillard government's commitment to eradicating doping from sport" was the sabre-rattling you would expect in an election year. However, as the work of the Australian Crime Commission, it would be foolhardy to assume this was all tip and no iceberg.

The release of these edited highlights might put offenders on notice, but it will also fuel speculation. There will be a race to expose the match the report claims was fixed, and to identify those accused of systematic doping. Anyone associated with a sports club who has had so much as a parking ticket will be scrutinised.

Essendon officials will not know whether to feel anguished or relieved. The timing of an investigation into the use of supplements associates the club with the report, despite attempts by the AFL to suggest otherwise. At the same time, the Bombers are now merely one patient in an epidemic. Some attention will be deflected.

Meanwhile, NRL clubs frantically search their cupboards, hoping there are no skeletons. But the fact the investigations conducted by officials in all codes are retrospective merely underlines their negligence. The effort taken to scour old records and check systems will be far greater than that taken to ensure the scourge was kept at bay.

World Anti-Doping Agency chief John Fahey underlined this point in red ink: "It seems to be history in sport that you'll address these issues only when something surfaces and you'll try to avoid it until that time."

The most common alibi for the use of performance-enhancing drugs is the athlete's win-at-all-costs mentality. It is not an excuse, but a plausible rationalisation; one that even invites fans to shoulder a share of the blame because of their expectations.

But the report pushes the issue well beyond the playing field. It forces us to think not merely of athletes taking drugs, but where they got them. It exposes the consequences of association with criminal suppliers. Match-fixing, recreational drugs, money laundering.

The NRL, AFL and ARU would seem to have the greatest concern about performance enhancement. But the current climate provides little comfort for cricket and soccer, the most likely targets for match-fixing given the tastes of the global betting industry.

The fortunate will have remained just that – merely targets for the dopers and the match fixers. But, if this report is to be believed, lax administration has allowed crime and corruption to hit the bullseye too often.

[redwhiteblue]

Only remember bits and pieces tbh. That was the year I tried to forget as much as possible and was to ashamed to say I was a chooks fan. I had to stop buying the paper, because everyday we were in it for all the wrong reasons.

I haven't listened to breakfast radio since the Nate Myles scandal so I do hear you.

And I used to be hopeless romantic too about a lot of things until I got my heart broken. I now understand we live in a world where people will lie, cheat and generally try and pull the wool over your eyes to get whatever they want, with no regard for who gets hurt along the way.
Don't let these scandals ruin the excitement of a new season for us. We have a lot to look forward to as Roosters fans and rising above this and going out and enjoying ourselves is the best revenge against those who want to muckrake about our club.

[redwhiteblue]

The vermin need to be swabbed

Let's file that under "jobs I won't be applying for"...

[Hawkeye]

You can make a movie about this shit.

Reading and thinking back on 2009 gives me chills.

Well if the 2009 guys are found to have been involved in illegalities, then I expect the NRL to strip us of the wooden spoon !

[Hawkeye]

OK, stripping their 1971 premiership might be a bit strict, but how about they strip them of their next premiership, whenever that might be?

They do have about 7 March permierships in the trophy cupboard since their reinstatement !

[Hawkeye]

Interesting comments form one of our own;



Maybe they're aware of it all but can't prove it. Given how incompetent the handling of the Storm's salary cap investigation was by Deloitte & the NRL it wouldn't be surprising if they struggle to find hard evidence yet again...

Wouldn't surprise if they lack evidence, so they are trying to smoke out players by scaring them into admissions.

[Salvatori Grubber]

Interesting take on Helliar's tweet.

I must admit - my first impression after reading it was hmmm, that feels a bit too defensive – the words of a worried person.

[stephenj]

whilst were investigating match fixing in re3gard to drug use lets not forget match fixing in regard to referees! we only have to look at the 2010 grand final to see the obvious and blatant use of referees to achieve the desired result! the yearly lopsided penalty count against the roosters must also be a pointer! the bill harrigans and newscorp mob must be brought to account on this as well!

[Guest]

Interesting take on Helliar's tweet.

I must admit - my first impression after reading it was hmmm, that feels a bit too defensive – the words of a worried person.

indeed, it was a very strange response from him. Surely he must know that they aren't releasing names yet as they don't have the necessary evidence to convict...

[Guest]

Teabags a few questions mate.

When was that article written and by whom??? You have not provided a link is all. I'm not doubting the article I am just interested to know the timeframe in relation to the sorta alleged incident.

What is the difference from your point of view between this article of rumors and say the 2010 GF allegations or my News paranoia conspiracy laden dribble??? Personally i believe if you are willing to swallow some rumors/allegations but dismiss others as the ramblings of a nutter, well it comes across as a little strange and say agenda driven. IMO of course.


About that game and those allegations, my personal view at the time was I thought it was bullshit. Mainly due to the fact we had been playing that way, leading at 1/2 time then getting thrashed in the second 1/2 of many games, for about a year and a 1/2 before that. Looking at it now I must say there may be more to it than I originally thought. Definitely a dark time to be an Easts fan.


And some breaking News I know you will appreciate, the Wankos have announced on the radio news up here that there has never been any history of drug taking at their fine upstanding morally sound organization. That's seriously what was said. I for one appreciate and commend them on their forthright stance in helping clear the air on this most serious of matter.

there's the link

http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/a...813612020.html

what is the difference between these suggestions and your claims that the refs were biased against us in the 2010 GF? Well, these suggestions actually contain a little bit of evidence. St George did get the benefit of some terrible calls, but only someone who has lost his grip on reality would suggest that a referee went out there looking to favour a side. Just doesn't happen. I'm not even deadling with the question of your news ltd paranoia, as I think deep down even you know that that's all it is

For what it's worth I watched that cowboys game 3 times and parts of it more than that, and I think the suspicions are unfounded. I've worked in sports betting and the amounts Munsie was talking about aren't uncommon at all on a 13+ option. And given how poor we were going, they presented as a valid option. I was going to back the cows h2h that day myself, but couldn't bring myself to on the grounds it was fitzy's last game. I'm not sure there's been an easts side in history that I've felt less attached to than the 2009 side

[BUDDY]

there's the link

http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/a...813612020.html

what is the difference between these suggestions and your claims that the refs were biased against us in the 2010 GF? Well, these suggestions actually contain a little bit of evidence. St George did get the benefit of some terrible calls, but only someone who has lost his grip on reality would suggest that a referee went out there looking to favour a side. Just doesn't happen. I'm not even deadling with the question of your news ltd paranoia, as I think deep down even you know that that's all it is

For what it's worth I watched that cowboys game 3 times and parts of it more than that, and I think the suspicions are unfounded. I've worked in sports betting and the amounts Munsie was talking about aren't uncommon at all on a 13+ option. And given how poor we were going, they presented as a valid option. I was going to back the cows h2h that day myself, but couldn't bring myself to on the grounds it was fitzy's last game. I'm not sure there's been an easts side in history that I've felt less attached to than the 2009 side

So what you are saying TOK is that there is no possibility that any match officials in any game anywhere in the world would fix the result of a game?

It would be difficult to hide a bet placed on the competition favourites from the beginning of the year and then have an 8-0 record refereeing that team throughout the year where other referees have a 60% win:lose ratio. Just a hypothetical example I am throwing out. Not implying anything.

EDIT: BTW that same official had a 6-0 record in favour of Manly the following year.