With the 2019 Rugby World Cup fast approaching, and the start of the season, this is an opportune time to remind you of the RFU’s zero betting policy on rugby union anywhere in the world.
There are important regulations in place protecting the integrity of rugby that affect everybody in the professional and semi-professional game RFU Regulation 17 (Anti-Corruption and Betting), so please remind yourself of the following messages to ensure you and our sport stay protected:
- DO NOT bet on any rugby match (or ask anyone to place a bet for you) anywhere in the world.
- DO NOT misuse or pass on inside information e.g. details of injuries, selection, etc. if not already public knowledge. Be careful on social media! (What is Inside Information? – see below)
- DO NOT accept money or gifts from anyone who is betting on rugby or in return for giving inside information or underperforming in a match.
- DO NOT fix or attempt to fix any part of a match.
- REPORT any suspicious or unusual approach or activity to the RFU Anti-Corruption Officer (AlysLewis@rfu.com, 0208 831 7696), to an RFU, PRL or RPA official, or to the Anti-Corruption hotline on 0208 831 6789 or email confidential@rfu.com
This applies to everybody involved in the professional and semi-professional game and is regardless of whether you are directly involved in a match or whether you gain from the bet. It also applies to all forms of betting.
WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS?
To see a full version of the Anti-Corruption Regulations, please see RFU Regulation 17 (Anti-Corruption and Betting). Failure to comply with the regulations will result in sanction.
WHAT IS INSIDE INFORMATION?
In short, Inside Information is any non-public information relating to rugby which you are aware of due to your involvement in the sport. Depending on your role, you may have access to different types of Inside Information. Having Inside Information is inevitable in many roles and does not breach the Regulations in itself. It is how you treat that information that is important.
Players, coaches and other people involved with teams
If you are a player, coach, team doctor/physiotherapist, analyst or someone else involved with a team, the Inside Information you acquire could include: tactics, strategies, team selections, intended substitutions, team injuries, form, who is kicking off, winner of the toss, pitch/weather conditions (for example, before the public are in the stadium), citings and suspensions, detailed video analysis information and statistics not available to the public, etc. until/unless such information becomes public knowledge.
Match officials and other people involved in officiating
If you are a match official or someone involved with the match officials such as a performance reviewer or selector, the Inside Information you acquire could include: referee appointments, who is kicking off, winner of the toss, pitch/weather conditions (for example, before the public are in the stadium), how the match will be refereed, citings and suspensions, detailed video analysis information and statistics not available to the public, etc. until/unless such information becomes public knowledge.
People involved in rugby administration
If you are an administrator or volunteer in a Union, Association or Club, for example, the Inside Information you have could include: coaching and captaincy appointments, fixture scheduling information, team selections, referee appointments, tactics, strategies, team selections, intended substitutions, team injuries, form, pitch/weather conditions (for example, before the public are in the stadium), citings and suspensions, etc. until such information becomes public knowledge.
People associated with others involved in Rugby Union
If you are a family member, friend or associate of any of the above people you could also become privy to this Inside Information through your connection to that person.