Barnsley and York players ‘held in spot-fixing probe’

Ben Davies, currently on loan at York City from his own club Preston North End was arrested alongside John Welsh, Keith Keane, Bailey Wright, David Buchanan and Graham Cummins from Preston.

Elsewhere Barnsley midfielder Stephen Dawson was also arrested and bailed, according to the reports.

Preston have expressed their disappointment after the players were named as having been arrested in connection with the inquiry.

Welsh, the club captain, was a pall-bearer at Sir Tom Finney’s funeral last month - have been named in a number of reports.

All have been released on bail and are available for selection.

Preston said in a statement: “We are disappointed that individual player names are in the public domain, given that none of these individuals have been charged with any offence.

“Having had time to meet with all the individuals concerned, we reiterate our position that all players will remain available for selection by the manager and that until or unless the current situation changes it will be business as usual.”

In a statement, Barnsley Football Club said they had no comment beyond being “aware of reports in the media in connection with an investigation into individuals suspected of conspiracy to commit acts of bribery and money-laundering relating to conduct during football matches”.

The National Crime Agency on Thursday confirmed that seven players had been arrested, and a further six re-arrested, as part of an investigation into alleged bribery and money-laundering.