Football: Suspended bans for Grobbelaar and Segers

Bruce Grobbelaar believes he and Hans Segers have not been "let off" by a Football Association disciplinary committee which gave them suspended bans and fines yesterday for breaking rules on betting.

The two goalkeepers, cleared of match-fixing charges earlier this year, received thousands of pounds for helping a Far East betting syndicate to predict the outcome of matches in which they were not involved.

But the FA said their punishment of a six-month ban and a pounds 10,000 fine would be suspended for two years, given the "severe financial hardship and three-year blight on their careers" they had already suffered.

Grobbelaar and Segers, who plan to continue their careers, admitted breaching FA rules on the involvement of players in betting, but claimed they had not fully appreciated the regulations at the time.

The two, along with former Wimbledon striker John Fashanu and a Malaysian businessman, were found not guilty earlier this year of criminal charges of match fixing by a jury at Winchester Crown Court.

But in their evidence during the lengthy trial, Grobbelaar and Segers admitted giving advice to a Far East betting syndicate on the likely outcome of matches.

During yesterday's disciplinary committee hearing the FA heard that Grobbelaar had received just over pounds 8,000 for his services, while Segers had picked up between pounds 45,000 and pounds 48,000.

"I've not been effectively let off - it's a serious matter," Grobbelaar said. "Had I known the penalties before, I would never have entered into the agreement with certain people. As it happened, I was naive."

He added that he would be continuing his planned libel action against the tabloid newspaper which first carried the match-fixing allegations against him.

Segers did not attend the FA's headquarters at Lancaster Gate in London, but his solicitor, Mel Goldberg, said: "He accepts the decision. He is hoping to play for Wolves on Sunday. If he keeps his nose clean, which he will, then he can carry on playing."

Grobbelaar and Segers were ordered to pay pounds 4,000 each towards the cost of the hearing.