Sydney Roosters’ Aidan Guerra says Tim Simona’s betting scandal would make it hard to trust him

“IT’S pretty dumb.” Leading players have expressed little sympathy for Tim Simona, who has been deregistered by the NRL.

The NRL has terminated the registration of Wests Tigers player Tim Simona over various betting scandals.

LEADING NRL players have expressed little sympathy for Tim Simona, who has been deregistered for a range of rule breaches, including betting on opposition players scoring against his team.

Roosters forward Aidan Guerra didn’t sugar-coat the situation when asked about the Wests Tigers centre being rubbed out indefinitely by the NRL for betting on matches, lying when interviewed by the integrity unit and failing to pass on jersey auction proceeds to charities.

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“I don’t know what to say ... it’s pretty dumb,” Guerra said.

“You know you are going to get caught and everyone knows it can all be traced back.

“I just can’t understand why it’s happening, but for him as a person you hope it’s not the end for him wherever he goes.

The NRL terminated the registration of Wests Tigers player Tim Simona over various betting scandals on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s just one of those things that you can’t do, but also you don’t want it to be the end of this bloke’s professional career, whether it be rugby league or whatever.

“I think the punishment will fit the crime and that’s the way it is.”

Guerra conceded he would find it hard to trust a teammate returning from a ban associated with match fixing but he hopes Simona can learn from his mistake to get his life back on track.

“It would be tough (to play with someone banned),” he said.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said Simona would be unlikely to have a contract registered in the near future. Pic: Getty Images

“But that’s what time does, it rehabilitates people and let’s just hope that whatever the ban is, it’s enough time to get his head right and come back and concentrate on footy.”

Roosters co-captain Jake Friend believes every NRL player is thoroughly educated on the dangers of gambling but he did admit there could be greater awareness around the pitfalls.

“As players we all know that we can’t bet on games and it’s pretty black and white,” Friend said.

“As players, we all know the rules. I don’t think there needs to be more education on the actual gambling in rugby league, but maybe as gambling as a whole thing.”

Aidan Guerra said players would have trouble trusting a teammate who had been banned for betting on games. Pic: AAP

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg addressed the media on Friday afternoon, making his stance on gambling and match fixing clear.

“Based on the evidence we have identified it is very hard to imagine that Tim Simona will be registered with the NRL at any time in the future,” Greenberg said in a statement.

“There is nothing more important than the integrity of our game.

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“Our fans have a right to expect that every player on every team is doing his best to win each game and we will be relentless in dealing with anyone who attempts to breach this trust.

“At the end of the day, he has deliberately flouted the laws of the game for his own gain and there is no place for him in the NRL.”

Greenberg said Simona was remorseful and has been dealing with serious personal issues.

The investigation into Simona’s actions, which also involves NSW police, led to him being stood down from playing and training last month.