Maro Itoje’s agent given 22-month ban for gambling
Maro Itoje’s agent Matt Hart has been given a 22-month ban after he placed more than 1,400 bets on rugby matches over a three-year period, which is a breach of the sport’s regulations, the Telegraph report.
Hart, who is a registered agent with the RFU at Stellar Management Group and also represents Wales international Taulupe Faletau, was found guilty of betting between January 2013 – June 2016, with his highest individual bet of £16,235.59 placed on the final day of the 2016 Six Nations.
The RFU state in their regulations that agents are forbidden from betting on rugby as they have sensitive information such as team selection, transfers and tactics which can all impact on match outcomes.
According to a written judgment published recently, Hart has accepted the charges at a hearing last month, despite claiming some of the bets placed were for his father.
Hart’s suspension has begun with immediate effect and is set to end on February, 11 2020.