- Title: UK: BRUCE GROBELAAR, HANS SEGERS AND JOHN FASHANU CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY
- Date: 24th July 1995
- Summary: SOUTHAMPTON AND EASTLEIGH, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 24, 1995) (REUTERS TELEVISION - ACCESS ALL) SOUTHAMPTON 1. ENGLISH SOCCER STAR BRUCE GROBBELAAR'S LAWYER DAVID HEWITT OUTSIDE COURT 2. HEWITT CONFIRMING GROBBELAAR HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY AND CORRUPTION AND HAS BEEN BAILED TO APPEAR IN COURT IN SOUTHAMPTON ON 11TH OCTOBER. SAYS GROBBELAAR MAINTAINS DENIAL OF THE CHARGES. PROCEEDINGS WILL BE VIGOROUSLY DEFENDED. SAYS SOUTHAMPTON FOOTBALL CLUB HAVE CONFIRMED FULL SUPPORT FOR GROBBELAAR (ENGLISH) 3. GROBBELAAR WALKING OUT OF COURT / REFUSES TO COMMENT 4. GROBBELAAR WALKING WITH HEWITT EASTLEIGH 5. WIMBLEDON GOALKEEPER HANS SEGERS SAYING HE IS GOING TO PROVE HIS INNOCENCE (ENGLISH) 6. SEGERS TALKS OF HIS DETERMINATION TO BE PROVEN INNOCENT AND GET BACK TO PLAYING FOOTBALL (ENGLISH) 7. SEGERS WALKING WITH HIS LAWYER Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
- Embargoed: 8th August 1995 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: SOUTHAMPTON AND EASTLEIGH, UNITED KINGDOM
- City:
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVA7FZAYNGYF9YRSZLYA9IC9Z1XU
- Story Text: Soccer stars Bruce Grobbelaar, Hans Segers and John Fashanu were charged with conspiracy on Monday (July 24) following a police investigation into alleged match-fixing in the English premier league.
Police also charged Fashanu's wife, Melissa Kassamapsi, and Malaysian businessman Heng Suan Lim.
All five, who deny the allegations, were released on bail and ordered to appear before Southampton magistrates on October 11 on charges of breaking the Criminal Law Act of 1977.
David Hewitt, Grobbelaar's lawyer, told reporters outside Southampton police station in southern England: "From the outset Bruce has denied any involvement whatsoever in any criminal activity.
"He maintains that denial today as strongly as he ever has.
These proceedings that have been brought will be vigorously defended." Wimbledon goalkeeper Segers was equally adamant about his innocence.
"Although the police have charged me they have not proved anything and I am totally innocent," he said.
"I just want all this to be dealt with as quickly as possible.
In the meantime I will try my hardest in goal for Wimbledon." Aston Villa striker Fashanu refused to comment but his lawyer, Henri Brandman, told reporters, "He looks forward to clearing his name." The police charge read: "In London or elsewhere between February 1, 1991, and March 15, 1995, they conspired together and with others, known and unknown, to give and corruptly accept gifts of money as inducements improperly to influence the outcome of football matches or as rewards for having so done." They also face between one and, in the case of Grobbelaar, four charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906.
Police have been investigating bribery allegations since November when a British newspaper accused Zimbabwean Grobbelaar, who now plays for Southampton, of taking bribes from an Asian gambling syndicate to throw matches during his 13 years with former European Cup holders Liverpool.
Southampton football club said on Monday that they would stand by Grobbelaar.
"We have maintained a consistent position. Until the relevant charges are admitted or proven we will continue to support Bruce," the club said in a statement.
Grobbelaar is due in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Wednesday to prepare for Zimbabwe's African Nations Cup qualifier against Cameroon in Yaounde on Sunday.
The five people charged on Monday were arrested in March but were released without charge. They reported back to police earlier this month and were again released on bail after several hours of questioning.
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