A FORMER Burnley striker has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after becoming the highest-profile player to be convicted of match-fixing allegations.

Delroy Facey, 35, who also played for Bolton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion and Hull City, was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court earlier of conspiracy to bribe non-league players.

He had denied any wrong-doing during a three-week trial, claiming he thought two corrupt businessmen offering him up to £15,000 for his part in the plot were "class clowns" whom he decided to "humour".

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Judge Mary Stacey said Facey's offences struck "at the very heart of football".

"You have been a role model, but you have abused that position," she added.

The trial heard that Facey urged a footballer at a struggling non-league club to make some "easy money" by fixing the result of a match.

He also told a contact that some Football Conference teams would "do" a game in return for payment.