Journalist Buzz Rothfield back from ‘sin bin’ after revelation of financial links with gambler
News Corp’s controversial sports writer Phil “Buzz” Rothfield has returned to reporting five weeks after it was revealed he received payments from a notorious gambling figure.
Rothfield’s What’s The Buzz column returned to the company’s Sunday tabloids today. In the column, Rothfield – sports editor-at-large – says that an internal investigation by News Corp has found that his journalism was not compromised by his financial dealings with Eddie Hayson.
At the end of July, Fairfax media journalists Nick McKenzie and Kate McClymont alleged that Hayson had made multiple cash deposits into Rothfield’s TAB account.
The Fairfax report also claimed that Hayson has threatened people he owed money with hostile coverage in Rothfield’s column. They did not allege Rothfield was aware this threat had been made. Fairfax also said that there was no allegation Rothfield was involved in any of Hayson’s activities which had led to police investigations.
Last night on Twitter, Rothfield replied to a question about his absence saying “Been in the sin bin mate”.
Been in the sin bin mate – yes Sharks can still win – rather be playing Raiders than Cowboys next week https://t.co/eIaV72deRS
— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) September 3, 2016
In his column today, Rothfield said that he would be making a temporary return in the run up to the NRL grand final before taking “a long break”. He wrote: “The episode has taken a toll on my health and I am making it my number one priority to get well again.”
Rothfield did not apologise in the column, but told readers that although his journalism had not been compromised, he would no longer bet with Hayson. He wrote:
“Four weeks ago I stood aside from this column and other reporting duties while my employer investigated my association with controversial punter Eddie Hayson.
“Every article published about Eddie by me and other writers over the last 10 years has been examined.
“I have disclosed my TAB betting account records and detailed how Eddie and I punted together.
“I have also disclosed how I purchased him tickets to a State of Origin and a grand final and how Eddie then reimbursed me for them.
“The investigation found my journalism and reporting has not been compromised by my relationship with Eddie and I did not receive gifts from him.
“However I accept that Eddie is a controversial figure and any perception that the relationship between he and I was closer than one of reporter and contact has put me and my editors in a difficult position.
“I will no longer be punting with Eddie Hayson.”
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