Smith: Why it’s “completely unfair” if Klein refs Origin II

Jimmy Smith and Greg Alexander have debated whether Ashley Klein should be allowed to referee Game II of State of Origin after his problem gambling was revealed.

Last week, it was reported by the Sydney Morning Herald that the referee had a gambling debt of over $400,000 related to bets on greyhound and horse racing before putting himself on BetStop three years ago.

Klein said in a statement that his gambling has no effect on his job refereeing and that he never gambled on rugby league.

The NRL said in a statement that they had been aware of the issue since 2019 and, following an investigation, found no breaches of the competition’s rules.

But given the perception issue that is now at play, Smith believes that Klein cannot be involved in Wednesday's clash.

“I think no way,” Smith told SEN’s Kick-Off.

“Absolutely no way. I think it's completely unfair.

“People say, oh this happened back in 2019 and 2023, but we only learnt about it on Friday.

“So, the perception now is of great concern about any and every decision made by Ash Klein.”

But Alexander disagreed, believing that Klein had dealt with the issue and put it in his past.

“I don't look at it that way, I don't see that,” Alexander added.

“I'm not worried about what Ash Klein's going to do on Wednesday night because he had a gambling problem in the past. He was refereeing the whole time.

“Why does Ash Klein have to pay a price for what the game didn't do six or seven years ago?”

But Smith disagreed, noting the effects this story could have on other aspects of the NRL.

“The game is just about to sign, announce a broadcast deal, which will be the richest in its history,” Smith explained.

“A big part of how they'll get that money is from gambling advertising, right?

“Peter V'landys, as the head of racing in New South Wales, knows better than any person on the planet that any perception of bias, any perception of wrongdoing, anything that challenges the belief of the customer in what it is that they're gambling on is the worst possible thing for any and all sports that rely on gambling from an income point of view.

“It is the perception of bias that is the problem.”

Klein is still expected to referee Game II, which takes place on June 17 (this Wednesday) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

SEN will have live coverage of the match with THREE different live calls available on our radio network and on SEN app with Maroons and Blues Radio alongside a neutral Origin Live call.