Five players charged by FA after claims of illegal bets

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The allegations relate to Accrington Stanley's final game of the last League Two season at home to Bury.

Four players then at Accrington — Jay Harris, David Mannix, Robert Williams and Peter Cavanagh — and Andrew Mangan, who was at Bury, have been charged with betting on a victory for the visitors. Both Harris and Cavanagh played in the game which ended 2-0 to Bury.

All five face serious sanctions including long suspensions if the charges are proved.

An FA statement said: "All five are alleged to have placed bets on Bury to win this match.

Mannix is alleged to have placed stakes to the value of approximately £4,000; Mangan £3,500; Harris £2,000; Williams £1,000; and Cavanagh on a £5 accumulator."

The FA were alerted after bookies in the north-west reported unusual betting patterns in the lead-up to the match with higher than usual amounts being staked in particular areas of the country. The match had no bearing on promotion or relegation with Bury ending the season 13th and Accrington 17th.

Harris, who is now registered at Chester City, has also been charged in relation to betting on a game involving his new club and another two League Two fixtures.

Cavanagh has also been charged with further breaches in relation to betting on another Accrington match in which he played and on a number of other League Two matches. All five have until 23 April to respond to the charges.

Meanwhile, Leighton McGivern, also registered with Accrington at the time of the game, was charged last month with failure to provide the FA with information requested during the investigation. He has denied the charge.

Players, managers and coaching staff are prohibited from betting on the result or progress of any match or competition in which they are participating in or have any direct or indirect influence.

Cavanagh and Mannix are former Liverpool trainees, while Harris was a trainee at Everton. Cavanagh and Williams are still registered with Accrington while Mannix is at Chester. Mangan is now with Blue Square Premier side Forest Green.