New South Wales Police have conducted hundreds of hours of interviews over the last two years with NRL staff, players, coaches, referees, professional punters and others. They have been investigating reports of match fixing but have found something much darker.
A report has been released, finding organised crime has infiltrated the game, with shady individuals offering people inside the NRL access to cocaine and sex workers in exchange for 'inside information' about teams, players and upcoming games.
Strike Force Nuralda, which was set-up to look into the allegations of match fixing, thankfully found that no games had been rigged. But it wasn't for a lack of trying on behalf of the crime figures who had reportedly been trying to solicit specific details.
Investigators have decided not to lay charges on any of the illegal practices they discovered, with a statement saying: "While detectives have not preferred criminal charges relating to these issues, their investigation highlighted activities and practices that are deemed as high risk for the NRL.
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"In light of this information, representatives of Strike Force Nuralda have recently met with the NRL and provided recommendations to ensure the integrity of the code is not compromised by the infiltration of organised crime."
The NSW Police report found that players had been offered prostitutes and cocaine in exchange for inside information. Credit: PA
While the investigation began two years ago, a game between Manly and Parramatta in April last year drew a lot of suspicion and ramped up detectives' efforts.
In spite of the evidence provided to the game, Chief Executive Todd Greenberg told a press conference: "I'm pleased that despite a very extensive investigation there are no charges. We've been co-operating with police continuously for the best part of two years, as we should do when allegations like this surface.
The NSW Police report found that players had been offered prostitutes and cocaine in exchange for inside information. Credit: PA
"Despite hundreds of hours of investigations and interviews and surveillance, there have been no charges laid. And that should give fans, followers and players of our sport great confidence as we head into next season."
Greenberg expressed his disappointed in the timing of the report, which was released on the opening day of the Rugby World Cup, but he says he 'understands the demands of the police authorities both in NSW and around the country'.
Police identified 13 persons of interest in their investigation, however aren't letting the NRL know who those people are. But Greenberg says there were some 'enormous' lessons learned from the damning report - which he'll use to strengthen the game and prevent anything like what has been found from happening again.
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Sources: news.com.au
Topics: Police, News, Australian News, Investigation, Cocaine, crime