Rob Howley, the Wales backline coach sensationally expelled from the Rugby World Cup in Japan, has apologized for his transgressions.
Breaking his silence since being ordered home for breaking rugby’s betting laws, he said he had been “battling demons”.
The 49-year-old former Welsh scrumhalf was banned for 18 months on Monday, with nine months suspended. The suspension was backdated to September 16, the day of his expulsion from the World Cup
Howley’s sports wagering activities first came to light when a sportsbook operator saw fit to report them. This was shortly before the Welsh team was due to play its first World Cup game.
An investigation subsequently found that between November 2015 and September 2019 he had placed a total of 363 bets. Some of them included wagers involving Wales Rugby Union matches.
Howley capped 59 times for Wales
Howley, capped 59 times for Wales from 1992- 2002, issued a statement after his suspension.
Reuters has reported it as saying: “I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to all those close to me and everyone this has affected, especially the rugby community, close colleagues and above all my family
“I am an extremely private man, and unfortunately it was this that kept me silent as I battled my demons following my sister’s tragic death.
“The last few months have been immensely tough, and continued help will allow me to find the right path back to rugby which has always been my true passion.
“I am immensely grateful for the faith and support I’ve received from everybody close to me.”
Family tragedy was the trigger
The Rugby Union disciplinary panel that handed down Howley’s suspension said in a statement that the trigger for his rule-breaking wagering had been a family tragedy involving the death of his sister in 2011.
He will be free to return to rugby from June 16 in 2020, it was confirmed by the panel.
NOTE: It’s for the betterment and good standing of sports wagering that transgressors of their sporting body laws be reported. This belief is rapidly gaining a foothold world-wide and already has in the New Jersey sports betting industry.