Players Arrested In Football Corruption Probe

Seven players from Football League clubs in the North West have been arrested over alleged bribery and money laundering in connection to football matches.

A total of 13 people are now being interviewed at police stations across the country in relation to the alleged offences.

Among them are six suspects who were originally arrested in December, including Blackburn Rovers striker DJ Campbell, who have been re-arrested.

The investigation was prompted by information passed on by the Sun on Sunday newspaper.

"Officers from the NCA have been actively pursuing a number of lines of inquiry in this ongoing investigation," the National Crime Agency said in a statement.

"The NCA have today re-arrested the six original suspects based upon new evidence, along with a further seven footballers aged between 18 and 30 suspected of potential involvement in these offences."

A Football League spokesman said: "The Football League has been made aware that a number of arrests have been made in relation to an ongoing police investigation.

"We will provide our full co-operation to the relevant authorities. Given that it is an ongoing matter, we cannot comment further at this time."

The Football Association said: "The FA has been made aware of developments in relation to an ongoing NCA (National Crime Agency) investigation, including a number of further arrests.

"We are liaising with the authorities in relation to these allegations. The FA will make no further comment at this time."

A statement from Preston on the club website said: "Preston North End Football Club can confirm that today, April 3 2014, the club has been contacted by the National Crime Agency in relation to a wide-ranging investigation into 'spot fixing' in football.

"There are no suggestions that any offences that might have occurred involved match-fixing.

"None of our employees have been charged with any offence at this time and until or unless this position changes we will be taking no further action nor making any further comment."