Ex-Oldham assistant banned for 12 months

An RFL Tribunal has suspended former Oldham assistant coach Mark Cass for 12 months for breaching the sport’s operational rules on betting.

Rule D1.10 (c) states that “No person shall be involved in any manner or capacity whatsoever, whether for his own account or on behalf of any other person, in any betting in respect of any Rugby League match or competition.”

Cass was found to have bet on Rugby League matches on several occasions during 2008 and 2009, including 10 matches involving Oldham. These included The Co-operative Championship One fixture against Dewsbury last July when he staked £400 on Oldham losing to Dewsbury by more than 18 points.

The bet was placed the same day the public were informed that four Oldham players had been released to join Barrow and that a further four players had been ruled out through injury.

The RFL were made aware of the bet through its information sharing agreement with the Association of British Bookmakers. Under the agreement signed in 2007, the RFL, with the assistance of the Gambling Commission, shares intelligence and information with Britain’s major bookmakers to ensure the fairness and integrity of the sport.

At the tribunal Cass admitted he had been betting on matches but claimed his bet on July 24, 2009 had been “for a friend,” who he declined to identify.

The Tribunal suspended Cass for 12 months and fined him £100. The start of the suspension is dated back to July 29, 2009, the date Cass was dismissed by Oldham.