No charges laid: CCTV image of Parramatta RL player Brad Murray placing a bet on the North Queensland Cowboys v Canterbury Bulldogs NRL game. Source: The Daily Telegraph
EELS half Brad Murray is no longer a person of interest in ongoing police enquiries into an alleged sting on last year's Bulldogs-Cowboys clash.
Murray was first identified on 2 December as one of the men who backed North Queensland to open the scoring with a penalty goal, when police released CCTV footage of the 20-year-old placing a bet on the exotic option at a Flemington TAB.
Murray was interviewed by detectives shortly afterwards, but was neither arrested nor charged with any offence.
The Sunday Telegraph can now confirm that State Crime Command operatives contacted Eels CEO Paul Osborne four weeks ago to tell the club Murray was no longer a person of interest in their investigation.
Murray, who has started the season in the halves for NSW Cup feeder side Wentworthville, still faces harsh punishment for breaching NRL rules against gambling but is understood to be little chance of having his two-year contract terminated.
"Police told me a few weeks ago that Brad is no longer a person of interest to them," Osborne said.
"We are now in discussions with the NRL about what penalty is appropriate."
Murray is a client of top agent Sam Ayoub, who was arrested and charged earlier this month in relation to the suspicious betting activities.
Both Ayoub and former league player John Elias have been charged with trying to obtain financial gain by deception after admitting to having also placed bets on the Cowboys to score first via a penalty goal.
Both Ayoub and Elias have denied the allegations.
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Replies
old news mate.
brad murray was used, there no problems in betting,but the manager has problems.
Osbourne KNEW 4 weeks ago and the NRL and Parra can't figure out what to do next.
Fu cryin' out loud - how hard can it be?
Ossie - "Ooooh Mr Gallop our boy is innocent of any crime
Gallop - "But he did place a bet Mr Tossa"
O - "Wellllllllllllll - yes but it was only a little bet on a loser"
G - "Doesn't matter. A bet is a bet and that is not allowed. Naughty, naughty"
O - "Hmmmmm. What do you think we should do?
G - "Your'e asking me? He's your player."
O - "Not really. He was with Chicken Little when he did a naughty"
G - "Hmmmmm. So he was."
O - "See. So we shouldn't have to do anything"
G - "WHAAATT? He did a naughty thing Mr Tossa. We have standards in the NRL and I will see them upheld"
O - "What's a standard Ms Wanky?"
G - "I think my mother wants me to run down to the shop and get some milk. I will get back to you LATER"
Hi all,
I'm going to close this blog and direct you all to this one which was started earlier.
http://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/murray-officially-cleared
Thanks all,
Tink : )