The NRL’s No.1 referee has admitted that he was forced to seek help for a gambling problem.
In a statement to The Sydney Morning Herald, Ashley Klein, who will take the whistle for State of Origin II on Wednesday, said his gambling problem related to horse racing and greyhounds.
NRL referee Ashley Klein. Mark Nolan
The SMH report claims he lost $400,000.
“Many years ago I developed a problem with gambling on horse racing and greyhound racing,” Klein’s statement said.
“This gambling was not related to any betting on Rugby League, and my job as a referee has never been impacted.
“I received help to deal with the problem and closed all associated betting accounts. This was a difficult period of my life but one which did not in any way influence my job as a match official.”
The NRL confirmed to the SMH that it became aware of Klein’s issues with gambling seven years ago, and that it was “investigated to the satisfaction of NRL management”.
“The NRL subsequently took appropriate steps to ensure there were no breaches of NRL rules and policies,” an NRL spokesman told the SMH.
“At no stage has Ashley Klein’s position as an NRL match official been impacted.
“The NRL takes proactive steps as a matter of course to provide education relating to rules and policy. Given this is an employment matter it would not be appropriate to comment further.”