A social media post linking Tim Simona to alleged gambling activity and behavioural misconduct raised concern over the Wests Tigers centre during last season.
Fairfax Media can reveal the NRL first launched its investigation into alleged suspicious betting activity during the final months of the regular season after a social media post accused Simona of numerous breaches of his contract, including betting on rugby league.
The NRL integrity unit interviewed Simona and the person responsible for the post, but the Samoan international was cleared of any wrongdoing and allowed to continue playing for the Tigers.
However, more information came to light in the ensuing months, forcing the NRL to re-open its investigation.
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It is understood Simona will have to face the NRL integrity unit to answer allegations he was involved in arranging bets on players he was opposing to score tries against the Tigers last season.
The NRL has handed over all relevant documentation relating to the Simona betting allegations to his management, giving him until next Friday to plead his case.
It is understood Simona won't be allowed to play while the matter is being resolved. Text messages provided to the NRL integrity unit are central to its investigation.
Following Fairfax Media revelations that Simona had allegedly arranged bets on players he was marking to score tries against him last season, the NSW Police strike force probing claims of match fixing met the NRL integrity unit on Thursday morning. But it is understood the evidence gathered by the NRL against Simona did not convince police it was a criminal matter, allowing the NRL to continue its own investigation without the authorities.
Regardless of whether police take further interest into Simona's alleged betting movements, it doesn't change the severity of the allegations being thrown at the 25-year-old, who now faces a life ban from the sport if found guilty of the allegations that have surfaced over the past few days.
The claims against Simona were raised via a tip-off from a former friend not from a betting agency. It is believed the alleged bets didn't come out of Simona's account, but through people he knew.
The Samoan international has been shopped around to rival clubs over the past few months in a bid by the Tigers to ease of their salary cap woes.Â
The Tigers have been trying to offload a player to comply with the salary cap by round one, but they won't need to move on a player if Simona is found guilty.
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