Birmingham, April 30 (IANS): Grenada international and former Premier League striker Delroy Facey was jailed for two-and-a-half years after being convicted of plotting to bribe lower league players in England.

The 35-year-old, who represented Grenada in the Caribbean Cup and also played in England for Bolton, West Bromwich and Hull, was found guilty on Wednesday of conspiracy to bribe non-league players, reports CMC.

However, Facey denied any wrong-doing during a three-week trial at Birmingham Crown court. He claimed he thought two corrupt businessmen offering him up to 15,000 pounds for his part in the plot were "class clowns" whom he decided to "humour".

A former non-league player, Moses Swaibu, was convicted of the same charge and jailed for 16 months.

“You have been a role model but you have abused that position. You have betrayed all that trust, all that confidence, and it’s like a cancer at the heart of football," said Judge Mary Stacey.