NRL Sydney Roosters players consider legal action over match-fixing claims

[TheBigFella]

A number of Sydney Roosters stars are considering legal action against The Sydney Morning Herald over allegations they threw their final game of the season.

"We have consulted a solicitor who thinks we've got a very strong case," a senior Roosters player said. "All 17 players who played that day in Craig Fitzgibbon's farewell match are now under suspicion because of what the Herald has printed.

"To throw a game is the lowest act, particularly in Fitzy's last match. All our reputations have suffered because of the false stories they've been printing.

"Our legal advice is that all 17 players could launch a class action against the newspaper."

Noyce is supporting the players in their denial of match fixing.

"In our previous three games we were beaten by a combined total of 90 points," Noyce said, "On 12 occasions during the season we got beaten by more than 13 points.

"Look, 2009 was a disastrous year for the club on and off the field but the big theme of our off-season has been about implementing change and we feel we've put the right systems and people in place to turn the club around."

In the wake of the betting allegations, Racing NSW boss Peter V'landys has warned punters about the risks in sports wagering.

"In racing, we spend $4million a year to have the best stewards in the country to protect the punter," V'landys said.

"The sports codes don't have anything in place to handle this sort of issue. There is no protection for punters in sports betting."

[Kingbilly]

This would be the best possible thing for RL, and I am being totally serious.
I am sick and tired of so called journalists printing what ever they feel like without ramifications or responsibility for their actions. I am sick of all the articles being about 2 or 3 clubs while others like Brisbane and Newcastle escape and are considered "clean".

I hope these players take them to the cleaners and I hope some from another club to as well for some other articles.

[TheBigFella]

The worst part is, even if we sued & won, we would still have that stigma..

[Guest]

yep mud sticks, which is exactly why i hate all the rumour threads on the wall and here. some idiots in the media get a hold of it and all of a sudden a persons name is mud unfairly

[Guest]

"In our previous three games we were beaten by a combined total of 90 points"
"On 12 occasions during the season we got beaten by more than 13 points"

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at Noyce's justification.

[Guest]

This would be the best possible thing for RL, and I am being totally serious.
I am sick and tired of so called journalists printing what ever they feel like without ramifications or responsibility for their actions. I am sick of all the articles being about 2 or 3 clubs while others like Brisbane and Newcastle escape and are considered "clean".

I hope these players take them to the cleaners and I hope some from another club to as well for some other articles.

Magnay was on Offsiders this morning and said there will likely be another article on the match fixing claims in tommorrows SMH.

[Guest]

This would be the best possible thing for RL, and I am being totally serious.
I am sick and tired of so called journalists printing what ever they feel like without ramifications or responsibility for their actions. I am sick of all the articles being about 2 or 3 clubs while others like Brisbane and Newcastle escape and are considered "clean".

I hope these players take them to the cleaners and I hope some from another club to as well for some other articles.

Agreed. There would be a few other clubs that could probably get in on it

[Guest]

If they sue, then what defense will the SMH offer ? Surely they need to have proof of their claim or they just cave and pay damages.

[Cockadoodledoo]

"In our previous three games we were beaten by a combined total of 90 points"
"On 12 occasions during the season we got beaten by more than 13 points"

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at Noyce's justification.

That's what I was thinking.. I wish Noyce would just go away...

[Guest]

The time for all this to go away or come to a head is now. Sue them and call these knobs to account for their actions

[Guest]

The worst part is, even if we sued & won, we would still have that stigma..

Maybe, maybe not, but I really want there to be accountability. Either by the journo's to get it right (is that a pig flying past my window?) and get a clear message that they can't just make shit up like they have. The Matt Johns scenario is a classic case.

Alternatively, if the rumours are true then it will give the game the chance to cleanse itself. It could be the tipping point the game needs.

Our greatest regret is not suing the SMH, Danny Weidler and Ray Hadley for the Coffs Harbour fiasco.

I say bring it on.

[supermario]

Well this can go 2 ways.

the players sue the SMH and the jurnos like magnay, Burbon beckky and Rothfield will actually have to work for an article.

or the players go to sue the SMH, and names of the players involved come out along with the evidence of any wrong doings.

With this front from the players publicly stating they want to sue, you can judge that they want to clear their names and have nothing to hide.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Well this can go 2 ways.

the players sue the SMH and the jurnos like magnay, Burbon beckky and Rothfield will actually have to work for an article.

or the players go to sue the SMH, and names of the players involved come out along with the evidence of any wrong doings.

With this front from the players publicly stating they want to sue, you can judge that they want to clear their names and have nothing to hide.

A lot of people who threaten to sue do not go ahead with it.

[Guest]

Well this can go 2 ways.

the players sue the SMH and the jurnos like magnay, Burbon beckky and Rothfield will actually have to work for an article.

or the players go to sue the SMH, and names of the players involved come out along with the evidence of any wrong doings.

With this front from the players publicly stating they want to sue, you can judge that they want to clear their names and have nothing to hide.

The problems for the paper is accessing that proof, no money reached the players hands, there is no paper trail, even the fact that it can be proven they attended "legal: brothels means nothing in the bigger context of the allegations, i will say there are alot of strange "co incidences" that add up, but with no paper trail these guys will dodge a bullet, lets hope these players learn a lesson and get on with fufilling their potential

[Guest]

If they don't sue, would that be some sort of admittance of guilt?