Professional footballers in England were warned yesterday there will be no more excuses if they are caught breaching betting regulations, and the punishment could include a life ban. A report into betting on professional football within the professional game admitted that betting on games was "widespread".

It concluded there was no evidence of corruption but said the potential was there as long as gambling was seen to go unpunished.

The English Football Association promised that anyone subsequently found guilty of breaking the rules could face unlimited sanctions.

The report blamed the increasing culture of betting on an ignorance of the existing regulations and a belief that Rule 26 (a) (iv) was "dormant, given the culture of betting" in the game.

The FA will now seek to clarify Rule 26, send all players a copy of the rules and encourage bookmakers to report any breaches of the rules.

The report also recommended that betting on the outcome of a league championship or cup is prohibited.