HUDDERSFIELD'S Challenge Cup semi-final foes St Helens are in a spin over a betting scandal involving two of their top players.
RFL chiefs are to investigate claims that Sean Long and former Giants player Martin Gleeson backed their own club to lose Monday's Super League clash at Bradford.
The Daily Mail alleges the pair won almost £1,000 each after betting Saints would lose by at least nine points.
The match triggered major controversy when 11 Saints regulars missed the game and the Bulls romped to a 54-8 win.
A RFL spokesman told the paper: "Betting is against our rules. We will investigate whether the players have a case to answer and take whatever steps are necessary."
Long, said to earn £200,000 a year, said: "It was not my bet.
"I opened the account for my mate. He didn't have the money in his account so I just said I'd put the money on for him and, obviously, he would give me the money if he lost and I would give him the money if he won."
Saints are in action at home to Salford tonight, when they are expected to field a stronger side. Paul Sculthorpe will play, although Long remains a doubt.
