ACCRINGTON Stanley managing director Rob Heys has been charged by the FA with ‘a number of betting offences.’

Heys has until Friday to formally respond to alleged breaches of FA rules and will face an FA hearing, which could take place as soon as next week.

The allegations are understood to relate to bets placed on football matches over a number of years.

It is against FA rules for club officials to bet on any game involving their own club, or a game in the same competition that their own club is involved in.

An FA investigation is understood to have taken place over several months, during which time Heys was interviewed by officials.

If he was found guilty, potential sanctions in such cases could vary from a fine to suspension from football.

Betting has been a controversial subject at Stanley since five players were banned for placing money on the result of the club’s game against Bury on the final day of the 2007/08 season.

It is understood the Heys investigation has no connection with that case and does not involve any suggestions of attempting to fix matches or use inside information for personal advantage.

Any FA suspension could force the Reds board to vote on his future.

In Stanley’s case, under FA regulations club officials would be prohibited from betting on all League Two fixtures and cup games, including those which take place after the Reds have been knocked out.

Both Heys and Stanley chairman Peter Marsden would not comment yesterday when contacted by the Lancashire Telegraph.

Heys became Stanley’s chief executive in 2005. His job title changed to managing director a year ago. He is in charge of day to day affairs at the club.

In an unconnected announcement the FA yesterday revealed that Stoke striker Cameron Jerome had also been charged with betting offences.

Earlier this year Tottenham winger Andros Townsend was banned for four months, three of which were suspended, and fined £18,000 for breaching FA betting regulations.