Rugby Union: Gibbs claims players are paid to play: Welsh accused
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Your support makes all the difference.MANY leading players are paid to play rugby union, Scott Gibbs, the former Wales and British Lions threequarter, has claimed.
At a time when the Inland Revenue is investigating clubs over money allegedly paid to players, Gibbs tells this month's issue of Rugby World magazine: 'The Welsh are the worst in Britain when it comes to upholding the amateur status. The hyprocrisy of it all sucks. Players and officials keep on covering up what's going on.'
Gibbs, who switched codes to the rugby league club, St Helens, earlier this year, said: 'Every player in Wales knows that when you play on a Saturday if you win you can get a few quid.
'Players get the cash after the game. Envelopes are handed around. At some clubs you get a cheque at the end of the month. It's a win bonus. You don't get it so much when you lose. In most of the clubs they are paying right the way through the divisions now.
'There are other clubs with money people behind them providing incentives for high- profile players to join. They are given pounds 5,000 to come and a car and so much a game, even in the lower leagues. I know of many players in this situation.
'Whatever way it goes, sides in Wales are paying their players. You get a few tenners thrown about, you put it in your pocket and it keeps you sweet.
''Every player in Wales knows the unwritten rules. When he has to make a decision about whether to join this club or that club, the first question he always asks these days is: 'What inducements can you offer me?'
Gibbs' decision to speak out will put pressure on officials who have always said they are unable to act because no evidence exists.
Russell Jenkins, chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union's amateurism committee, said: 'While there is always a certain amount of hearsay that players are being given win bonuses, the Union has no hard evidence to substantiate such rumours. If Scott Gibbs would like to give me evidence to support his statements, giving names and amounts, I would be pleased to receive it.
'Win bonuses are not permissible and the general committee of the WRU will be telling all clubs in the next few weeks what is, and what is not, permissible within the International Rugby Board regulations on amateurism. If the general committee finds there are breaches of the regulations then it will act appropriately.'
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