Grobbelaar charged with match-fixing

Bruce Grobbelaar is to face Football Association charges over allegations that he took bribes to fix matches.

The FA yesterday charged the Southampton goalkeeper with ``conduct which is improper or liable to bring the game into disrepute'' and ``acceptance of consideration with a view to influencing the result of a match''.

The FA chief executive, Graham Kelly, said that having considered documents and videos, the FA had concluded there was a case to answer. But Grobbelaar was innocent until proved guilty and would not be suspended pending the hearing of the charges by an FA disciplinary committee. He has 14 days to answer the allegations.

Kelly added: ``We want to bend over backwards to be fair to him and allow him to answer the charges . . . We view the charges very seriously indeed.'' Southampton Football Club and Fifa, the game's world ruling body, were being told of the decision.

Lawrie McMenemy, Southampton's director of football, said last night: ``I'm delighted he's been allowed to carry on playing. We accept that the FA have to interview Bruce to clear up the matter.''

Now Southampton expect the 37-year-old Zimbabwe goalkeeper to return tomorrow from international duty in Harare to prepare for Saturday's game against Arsenal.

Details, page 40