Bookmakers suspend markets after Melbourne wooden spoon bets

[Boofhead]

Bookmakers suspend markets after Melbourne wooden spoon bets
By staff writers | April 22, 2010

Several leading Australian bookmakers have suspended betting on the NRL wooden spoon after receiving large bets from punters on Melbourne Storm to finish last.

Given Melbourne's position as a genuine premiership threat, the size and number of the bets has caused some concern for bookies and several have suspended the market.

Rumours have been circulating since the start of the season that the Storm had come to the attention of NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert for alleged breaches.

Stay tuned to foxsports.com.au for exclusive comments from TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie

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[titansrawesome]

why should storm lose competition points over this though? please tell me

[Boofhead]

NRL poised to strip Melbourne Storm of points over salary cap breaches
By Karl deKroo and Paul Malone

PREMIERS Melbourne Storm are braced to lose NRL premiership points as a result of salary cap violations.

Storm officials are in Sydney today for discussions over the outcome of NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert's investigation into player deals.

Leading sports bookmakers Sportingbet Australia this morning suspended wooden spoon betting after a series of bets on the premiers at $251 to finish last.

Rumours swept league circles today that the Storm would lose their premiership points and face a hefty fine.

It is understood any fine or sanction won't be retrospective, so Melbourne's 2009 premiership is not threatened by the findings.

The fine is likely to be at least a large six-figure amount, with rumours it could go as high as $1 million.

Asked by The Courier-Mail this morning if the Storm has been stripped of their eight premiership points, NRL chief executive David Gallop said: "There hasn't been that decision. There hasn't been (a decision on a fine).

"I can't really comment on anything that is going on with the storm at the moment. I have said before we are investigating a number of issues. it's the same position.

"I'm working on it as quickly as I can."

A loss of eight premiership points would not end Melbourne's chances of making the final eight, but even the mental strength of a team which has made the past four grand finals, winning two, would be tested.

Canterbury were stripped 37 premiership points in 2002 and were also fined $500,000.

The Warriors were the most recent violators of the salary cap, starting the 2006 season with a four-point deficit and having to operate under a reduced salary cap, as well as pay a $430,000 fine.

Sportingbet Australia chief executive Michael Sullivan said the wooden-spoon bets set off alarm bells as the Storm were favourites for the premiership.

"We took three bets to win $10,000 and another to win $8000 on the Storm for the Wooden Spoon all within 10 minutes of each other this morning," Sullivan said.

"You don't take a series of bets like that unless someone knows something or think they know something and we have suspended betting on the wooden spoon as a result."

Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith was implicated last month in a possible salary cap breach by the Storm over a television appearance deal.

Courier Mail