By STEVE MASCORD
Britain’s Rugby Football League says any ban imposed on Wests Tigers centre Tim Simona would also apply in Super League.
Reports emerged Thursday morning, Australian time, that Simona would be suspended for four years if found guilty of betting on opposing players to score against him.
It was suggested the European Super League or French rugby union would be the likely destination for the 25-year-old Samoa international whole under suspension.
But a Rugby Football League spokesman told rugbyleaguehub.com: “If he is banned by NRL, he would not be eligible to play in Super League. The ban would carry across.”
In fact, all bans on rugby league players apply to all competitions run by Federations under the auspices of the Rugby League International Federation.
The loophole that allows the likes of Todd Carney to play on in Super League is that he was never banned; the NRL simply said it would be unlikely to register a contract after his most recent disciplinary breach.
In cases where the NRL has not formally suspended a player, Super League must make its own judgments.
Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reports Simona has pleaded guilty to placing more than 60 bets on NRL games last year. Most reports until Thursday suggested he faced a life ban.
