Richard Mathers announces retirement after betting ban

Former Leeds and Warrington full-back Richard Mathers has announced his retirement, just a fortnight after being handed a six-month ban for breaking the Rugby Football League rules on betting.

Richard Mathers has reluctantly called time on his career

The 31-year-old, who was halfway through a two-year contract with Championship club London Broncos, vehemently protested his innocence after being suspended until January and says the action has had a traumatic effect on him.

In a statement, Mathers said: " It is with considerable regret, and a degree of disillusion, that I have decided to call time on my rugby league playing career with immediate effect.

"The manner in which it has ended, battling off a potential career-threatening injury and defending a charge of 'providing inside information on London Broncos' playing strengths and pre-match preparations, and of encouraging other people to bet on the outcome of a match using the social media messaging application, Whatsapp', has had a traumatic effect on me and my family."

The statement goes on: "I strenuously maintain my innocence of all the issues, no evidence was found against me and I was convicted on the grounds of 'comfortable satisfaction.'

"I was advised that a right of appeal against a finding comes with a dire warning of further risk of greater sanction and damage to my good name and career, and I had no wish to compromise or undermine the game.

"But I have subsequently found that, under ACAS regulations, this is not the case.

"I also hope to highlight to colleagues and professionals alike that they should take heed of the negative effects of social media, and the consequences that identity theft can have on your life.

"A growing number of companies are developing apps for smart phones and tablets, some of these are hard to trace, easy to manipulate, change and amend."

Mathers began his 14-year professional career with his home town club Leeds in 2002, although he actually made his Super League debut for Warrington while on loan.

He had a brief spell in Australia with Gold Coast Titans before returning to England to play for Wigan and Warrington and also had spells with Wakefield and Castleford before moving to London 12 months ago.

Mathers added: "Having ended my career, I would like to pay tribute to those who have selflessly helped me along the way, from my junior days at East Leeds, from dad driving me everywhere no matter what and mum washing the team kit and running up the touchline cheering, through to a wonderful professional playing career both in the UK & NRL with some exceptional team-mates.

"I have memories and friendships to last a lifetime, including a never-to-be-forgotten Grand Final win with Leeds, a World Club Challenge win with Leeds and two Challenge Cup wins with Warrington along with proudly representing England.

"I still hope that I can contribute to the sport further down the line."