Grobbelaar and Segers could yet face life bans

Bruce Grobbelaar and Hans Segers could still face life bans after being charged yesterday with breaking football's betting rules. The two goalkeepers, and former Wimbledon and Aston Villa striker John Fashanu, were last month cleared of match-fixing charges after a second trial.

But the Football Association today charged the two goalkeepers with breaking betting rules following the evidence both gave in their defence at their trial.

While the new charges are less serious than the original ones laid against Grobbelaar - which were dropped yesterday in light of the not guilty verdicts - the FA has the power to impose unlimited punishments.

And Lancaster Gate bosses are also implicitly urging world football's governing body FIFA to reject the Fashanu's application to become an officially-approved worldwide soccer agent.

Yesterday's move came on the advice of Sir John Smith, the former deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police who was brought in by the FA after the acquittals at Winchester Crown Court in August of the trio and Malaysian businessman Heng Suan Lim.

Zimbabwean Grobbelaar and Segers both told the court that they had received money for forecasting the results of matches - and therefore breaking FA regulations.

In an official statement announcing the charges, FA Director of Public Affairs David Davies suggested Lancaster Gate believed the pair had confirmed their guilt.

"We can announce today that Bruce Grobbelaar and Hans Segers have both been charged with breaches of FA rules on betting," said Davies.

"They have admitted to breaches of the relevant FA rules at their criminal trials."

Both players are likely to seek a personal hearing. They have 14 days to respond to the charges and are free to play for their clubs.

Grobbelaar has just signed a one month contract with Oxford as cover for the injured Phil Whitehead and is set to make his debut against Sheffield United on Saturday.

Segers is yet to play for Wolves, but manager Mark McGhee hinted he would also stand by the player.

Fashanu quit football through injury two years ago to concentrate on his business and television career.

His application to FIFA to become an officially-licenced agent - he had hoped to make use of his contacts and influence in Africa - went on hold as a result of the criminal charges.

And while the FA will not confirm their stance, the tone of Davies' statement hinted broadly that Lancaster Gate will be using its own influence to ensure his application is rejected.

Meanwhile, Arsenal striker Ian Wright has been cleared of a misconduct charge along with teammate Patrick Vieira and Leicester captain Steve Walsh.

An FA disciplinary commission reached their decision after taking more than three hours to study the after-match events of the Premiership clash between the two clubs three weeks ago.

Referee Graham Barber reported the trio for "adopting aggressive attitudes" after the final whistle in a match that had run six minutes over time during which three goals were scored.

But the Surrey official added that if their offences had taken place during the game they would have only been punished with yellow cards.