A former Premier League footballer who now plays for a Bradford football club is one of six people arrested on suspicion of fixing English matches, sources have said.

Delroy Facey, 33, who plays for Bradford team Albion Sports in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division, is believed to be among six members of an alleged betting syndicate who have been arrested on suspicion of fixing English football matches.

Facey did not turn up to play for Albion Sports as scheduled against Athersley Recreation in the NCEL Premier League last night, according to the club's secretary Jaj Singh.

Mr Singh said: "He was due to come but didn't turn up. He was named on the sub's bench but was a no show. I have no idea. He's been with us about three months and is a cracking lad."

Facey scored two in an 8-1 win over Armthorpe Welfare on Saturday and has scored six goals for Albion Sports this season.

Earlier in his career, Facey scored one goal in six games during a loan spell at Bradford City in 2002 and played for a number of other professional clubs.

At least three current footballers and an agent are believed to have been arrested as part of a National Crime Agency (NCA) crackdown on an "international betting syndicate", a national newspaper reported.

The arrests were made following a sting by the newspaper, in which it claims undercover reporters discussed the possibility of influencing the scores and outcomes of lower-league English games for as little as £50,000.

A spokesman for the NCA said: "Six men have been arrested across the country as part of an NCA investigation into alleged football match fixing. The focus of the operation is a suspected international illegal betting syndicate.

"The NCA is working closely with the Gambling Commission and the Football Association. This is an active investigation and we are unable to provide further detail at this time."