Former Luton Town star Keith Keane arrested in connection with spot fixing investigation

A Luton-born footballer is one of six players from Preston North End FC to be arrested in connection with a spot fixing investigation.
npower League One - 29/03/2013 -  Preston North End vs Portsmouth
Portsmouth's John Akinde battles with Keith Keane ENGPPP00620130329193949npower League One - 29/03/2013 -  Preston North End vs Portsmouth
Portsmouth's John Akinde battles with Keith Keane ENGPPP00620130329193949
npower League One - 29/03/2013 - Preston North End vs Portsmouth Portsmouth's John Akinde battles with Keith Keane ENGPPP00620130329193949

Former Luton Town star Keith Keane was arrested on Thursday along with teammates John Welsh, Bailey Wright, David Buchanan, Ben Davies and Graham Cummins.

All six were bailed and have told the club that they are innocent.

Spot fixing is where a player corruptly agrees to rig a specific detail of a match, for example the timing of a yellow card or free-kick.

A Preston North End spokesman said: ”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.”

Six other men separately arrested and bailed in connection with spot fixing in December were also re-arrested on Thursday.

The Sport and Recreation Alliance has said that the crime is “one of the biggest threats facing the integrity of sport”.

Following his arrest Keane was named as a substitute in Preston’s 1-1 draw against Bristol City on Saturday.

The 27-year-old was a Luton Town academy product who featured 237 times for the Hatters, before joining Preston North End in June 2012.