BRAD MURRAY will learn next week whether he will be permitted to play in the Newcastle competition - or anywhere in NSW - after being charged in relation to the NRL betting scandal.
Police revealed on Thursday that Murray, 21, and Jai Ayoub, 25, had become the latest people charged as a result of the investigation by Strike Force Suburb detectives into a plunge on an NRL game between North Queensland and Canterbury in August 2010.
Murray, pictured, a former Roosters and Eels under-20s halfback now with the Western Suburbs Rosellas in Newcastle, faces one charge of attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception. Ayoub faces two counts of the same charge.
There was a suggestion the Country Rugby League would decide at a meeting yesterday whether to allow Murray to keep playing or ban him while the court matter runs its course, but CRL chief executive Terry Quinn said that did not occur. Quinn said he would first discuss the matter with CRL president Jock Colley and NRL chief executive David Gallop.
''It wasn't brought up at today's meeting at all,'' Quinn said. ''I'll be talking to Jock on Monday and we will have a talk with David after that. I'd like us to make a decision on it next week.
''We only heard about what had happened late yesterday and we haven't got the full details, so today was too soon for a decision. We have to decide on whether to allow Brad to keep playing in the Newcastle competition or anywhere else in the country area.''
After splitting with the Eels, Murray made the grand final with the Rosellas last year. Wests secretary Neil Scarr described Murray as ''a good country lad'' who had done well at the club.
''It's entirely up to the Country Rugby League,'' Scarr said. ''We're in their hands. Of course, we want him to play, but it's up to them. We've been advised by the Newcastle Rugby League that a decision is pending, and we're awaiting the CRL's advice.
''Brad's been good for the Rosellas. He comes from Scone, so he's from up this way anyway, and he fitted in well at the club. He's been training with the team for this season, and he played in a trial game for us only last weekend.''
NRL spokesman John Brady said Gallop would be happy to discuss the matter with CRL officials.
''Brad doesn't have a registration in the NRL competition, and hasn't sought one,'' Brady said last night. ''He hasn't been the subject of any disciplinary action by the NRL at this stage, and if the CRL wishes to discuss registration in their competition I'm sure David will be happy to do so.''
Murray was originally the star witness for the police, but then he sensationally changed his evidence when he appeared as a prosecution witness against John Elias. The player manager had been charged with making an attempt to obtain financial advantage by deception. After having made a statement tendered during the Ryan Tandy case that Ayoub had told him the Cowboys-Bulldogs game had been ''set up'', Murray said he had lied. The charge against Elias was eventually dismissed.
Murray and Jai Ayoub are due to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on April 4.
