'Difficult period': Top NRL ref confirms he had gambling problem

"Many years ago I developed a problem with gambling on horse racing and greyhound racing," Klein said in a statement. "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." Klein is set to referee State of Origin II on Wednesday in Melbourne, his 14th Origin in a row. There is no suggestion Klein ever gambled on rugby league and the NRL said it was aware of his situation. "The NRL first became aware of this matter in 2019, at which time it was investigated to the satisfaction of NRL management at the time," the NRL said in a statement. "The NRL subsequently took appropriate steps to ensure there were no breaches of NRL rules and policies. "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." NRL referees are banned from gambling on rugby league matches, but are free to gamble on other sports. [Image text:] SED WEYS TO OET 272 ORCCN WITZE yOuI M