FIVE professional footballers have today been charged with breaching the Football Association's betting rules - with some accused of gambling thousands on their team to lose.

FIVE professional footballers have today been charged with breaching the Football Association's betting rules - with some accused of gambling thousands on their team to lose.

The charges relate to League Two Accrington Stanley's last game of last season when the squad lost 2-0 to Bury at home.

Four players then at Accrington - Jay Harris, David Mannix, Robert Williams and Peter Cavanagh - and Andrew Mangan, who was at Bury, have been charged with betting on a victory for the visitors.

All five have until 23 April to respond to the charges, which if proven would potentially lead to serious sanctions including lengthy suspensions.