A former Premier League striker has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after becoming the highest-profile player to be convicted of match-fixing allegations. Delroy Facey, 35, who played for Bolton Wanderers, West Brom and Hull, was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court earlier of conspiracy to bribe non-league players.He had denied any wrongdoing during a three-week trial, claiming he thought two corrupt businessmen offering him up to £15,000 for his part in the plot were "class clowns" whom he decided to "humour".Judge Mary Stacey said Facey's offences struck "at the very heart of football"."You have been a role model, but you have abused that position," she added.The trial heard that Facey urged a footballer at a struggling non-league club to make some "easy money" by fixing the result of a match. He also told a contact that some Football Conference teams would "do" a game in return for payment.
Source: PA