Players charged by FA in betting scandal
Five players have been charged by the Football Association after breaking betting rules before a League Two game last season. The charges relate to activities surrounding a game between Accrington Stanley and Bury on May 3 2008.
Four of the players charged - Jay Harris, David Mannix, Robert Williams and Peter Cavanagh - were at the time registered with Accrington Stanley. The fifth player, Andrew Mangan, was a former Accrington player registered with Bury.
Both Harris and Cavanagh played in the match, which Bury won 2-0. The players involved have allegedly bet thousands of pounds on a Shakers’ victory. Bookmakers stopped taking bets after noticing unusual betting activity in the run-up to the tie.
“Mannix is alleged to have placed stakes to the value of approximately £4,000,” said an FA statement.
“Mangan £3,500; Harris £2,000; Williams £1,000; and Cavanagh on a £5 accumulator. All five have until April 23 to respond to the charges.”
Harris, now registered at Chester City, has been charged on betting relating to his new club and to two other League Two fixtures.
Leighton McGovern, who was also registered with Accrington Stanley at the time, was charged by the FA in March 2009 after failing to give the FA information when requested.
FA rules firmly state that players, managers or coaching staff are prohibited from betting on the result or progress of any match or competition in which the participant is participating or has any direct influence.
All five players could face substantial fines or lengthy suspensions if found guilty.
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Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.