The National Crime Agency (NCA) recently announced footballers between the ages of 18 and 30 are being investigated in connection with alleged spot-fixing in football matches.

Players from north west clubs have been identified and arrested.

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Preston North End football club were among the clubs contacted by NCA and in repsonse to media enquiries they have released the following statement on their website: “Preston North End Football Club can confirm that today, 3rd April 2014, the Club has been contacted by the National Crime Agency in relation to a wide ranging investigation into ‘spot fixing’ in football.

“There are no suggestions that any offences that might have occurred involved match fixing.

“None of our employees have been charged with any offence at this time and until or unless this position changes we will be taking no further action nor making any further comment. All of our contracted employees are available for selection by the manager.”

The Football League, which is also based in Preston made the following statement: “The Football League has been made aware that a number of arrests have been made in relation to an ongoing Police investigation.

“We will provide our full co-operation to the relevant authorities. Given that it is an ongoing matter, we cannot comment further at this time.”

Officers from the NCA are actively pursuing a number of lines of inquiry in the ongoing investigation that began following receipt of material from the Sun on Sunday.