Chester City FC: Jay Harris and David Mannix charged by the FA for breach of betting rules

Apr 7 2009 By David Triggs

CHESTER City players Jay Harris and David Mannix have been charged by the Football Association for breaching betting rules.

The Blues pair are among a group of five players - the others being Robbie Williams, Peter Cavanagh and Andrew Mangan - accused of gambling thousands of pounds.

All five face serious sanctions, including the chance of suspensions.

The majority of the charges relate to bets placed on an end-of-season League Two match between Accrington Stanley and Bury on May 3 last year.

Harris, Mannix, Williams and Cavanagh were all registered with Accrington at the time, while Mangan was on Bury's books.

The five are alleged to have placed bets on Bury to win. Mannix is alleged to have placed stakes to the value of approximately £4,000; Mangan £3,500; Harris £2,000; Williams £1,000; and Cavanagh on a £5 accumulator. Bury won 2-0, and Harris and Cavanagh played in the match.

In addition, Harris has been charged in relation to betting on a game involving Chester and another two League Two fixtures.

All five have until April 23 to respond to the charges.

FA rules prohibit players, managers or coaching staff from betting on the result or progress of any match or competition in which the participant is participating or has any direct or indirect influence.

Midfielders Mannix, 23, and Harris, 22 next week, signed for Chester on free transfers from Accrington on the same day in June last year. Mannix scored the first goal in City’s 2-1 win at Notts County on Saturday.