SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown wants a lifetime ban for any player found guilty of match fixing.

Six people, including Blackburn Rovers striker DJ Campbell have been arrested after a National Crime Agency investigation into spot-fixing while Sam Sodje, brother of ex Blues defender Efe, was filmed bragging he could influence events in certain matches.

Those developments infuriated Brown and he feels strong punishment should now be taken to anyone who has taken money to make something occur in a match.

“Anyone found guilty of spot-fixing or match fixing should face a lifetime ban from the sport and that’s at any level of the game,” said Brown.

“If it’s a Premier League player then I don’t think he should even be allowed to drop down in to non league and pick up £200 a week or so at that level, they should be banned completely.

“It is appalling and there is just no argument about it, anyone found to have taken money to lose a game or get a booking at a certain time should never be allowed to be involved in the game ever again.”

Earlier this year, bookmakers also stopped taking bets on matches featuring Billericay Town, AFC Hornchurch and Chelmsford City due to integrity concerns.

In March the FA told all the Conference South clubs "to remind their players and officials of their responsibilities under the betting and integrity rules of the FA".

Brown insists he has never come across any form of match fixing during his own career and has been saddened by suggestions that players have been willing to accept payments for their part in a game.

“I know some people in the game are saying it’s not as bad as people are suggesting but there’s no smoke without fire and even if it’s just one per cent of people then I’m still disgusted,” said Brown.

“They not going to be taking money for winning games or anything like that, it’s always going to be for something bad and it’s just not on.”