Stanley five deny allegations

Five footballers charged with breaching Football Association rules on gambling after "irregular" betting patterns on a League Two match last year yesterday denied the allegations and requested personal hearings.

David Mannix, Jay Harris, Robbie Williams and Peter Cavanagh of Accrington Stanley were charged last month after the FA alleged they made respective bets of £4,000, £2,000, £1,000 and £5 on their own team to lose at home to Bury on 3 May 2008.

Andy Mangan, a former Stanley player registered with Bury at the time, is alleged to have bet £3,500 on Bury. Harris and Cavanagh played in the game, which Accrington lost 2-0.

"The charges will be now heard by an independent Regulatory Commission which will be scheduled in due course," the FA said in a statement, declining to add when the personal hearings will be, or when the Commission will meet.

If found guilty, the players face punishments including fines, and suspensions of any period up to and including life bans. The case, one of at least eight suspicious football betting cases referred to the Gambling Commission since September 2007, could yet involve police action.