Midlands Hurricanes head coach receives ban due to betting

Midlands Hurricanes head coach Richard Squires has received a three-month ban due to a breach of the RFL’s rules regarding betting on the sport.

One month of the ban has been suspended until the end of 2023.

Squires committed his future to the club ahead of the 2022 League 1 season, continuing his work from Coventry Bears.

The club currently sit eighth in the table, claiming two wins from seven so far in 2022.

Midlands Hurricanes release statement

The club shared in a statement: “Both the club and Richard have been fully cooperative with the RFL over recent weeks in concluding their investigation and Richard admitted full guilt and accountability for his actions during this process.

“Richard has expressed his utmost apologies for any disrepute that has been brought upon the club, the RFL or the game of Rugby League. Although he cannot erase his historic mistakes he takes full responsibility for them.

“Richard is a huge part of the club’s history, progression and future and as a club we will continue to support him through this process and time away from the game before his return to the club on July 9th.”

RFL statement

The RFL said in a statement: “The RFL were alerted in March that Mr Squires had been betting on rugby league matches, including those involving his own club.

“A Compliance investigation found him guilty of breaching a number of Operational Rules, including the Betting and related activity Code of Conduct which states that “Placing, accepting, laying or otherwise entering into any wager, bet or other form of financial speculation with any individual, company, organisation or other body in relation to the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any Match, Competition or Event” constitutes an offence of misconduct.

“The sentence reflects the fact that Mr Squires complied fully and quickly with the case, accepted his guilt from the outset, and showed regret for his actions during a period when he was suffering personal problems.

“He was aware of the relevant regulations having completed the section of the Rugby League’s Education module relating to gambling.

“The RFL accept that he did not bet against his club (Midlands Hurricanes in 2022 or Coventry Bears in 2021), and that he has not made any profit on bets placed on Rugby League matches.”

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