"Six Preston North End
footballers were among seven players arrested in connection with a
spot-fixing investigation, the BBC understands.
The club's captain John Welsh and players Keith Keane, Bailey
Wright, David Buchanan, Ben Davies and Graham Cummins were arrested on
Thursday.
All six have expressed their innocence to the club and have been bailed.
Barnsley midfielder Stephen Dawson was also arrested and bailed. He has been unavailable for comment.
The investigation concerns matches this season and last season.
'Business as usual'
A Preston North End spokesman said: "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 it was "aware of reports
in 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 BBC understands three of the Preston players are expected to play on Saturday.
Ben Davies and Graham Cummins are on loan at League Two sides York City and Rochdale respectively.
On Thursday, the National Crime Agency said six other men
arrested in December on suspicion of involvement in spot-fixing and
later bailed, had been re-arrested.
Those arrested in December - including former Premier League player DJ Campbell - had been bailed to return on 8 April.
Spot-fixing is where a player corruptly influences a specific
element of a match, for example by intentionally getting a yellow card
or conceding a corner, without trying to fix the final score."
From bbc.co.uk
We have faith in our players and do not think they would commit any form of treason and to risk their career for some fast cash in hand.
