That's Rocky Michael Chopra to you!

TOWN striker Michael Chopra is awaiting his fate after the British Horseracing Authority today said he was involved in fixing horse races.

The 29-year-old and eight other people including former jockey Andrew Heffernan were said to be part of a conspiracy involving betting exchanges.

The inquiry also branded Chopra as a liar, stating his interviews consisted of lies which were exposed to be ?utterly untrue?.

The BHA disciplinary panel?s findings state: ?It was plain beyond doubt to the panel that Chopra was fully engaged in the conspiracy. He did not attend the enquiry or even send in some indication of his defence in writing. Thus, his only contribution was in the interviews he gave to the BHA Investigators.

?Much of what he said in those interviews consisted of lies. His denial of knowing Heffernan or of ever speaking to him was exposed as utterly untrue.

?Chopra engaged in the conspiracy, but the allegation that he offered bribes to Heffernan was also made good.?

Heffernan was also found to have committed various offences relating to race-fixing.

The penalties against Heffernan and Chopra will be decided at a hearing which has now begun.

Chopra, who was named under his full name of Rocky Michael Chopra, had been accused of conspiring to commit fraud by placing bets or getting other betting exchange account holders to bet on horses ridden by Andrew Heffernan to gain an unfair advantage in the betting market.

Chopra also faced an allegation of offering a bribe to Heffernan.

The two horses involved in Chopra?s case were Wanchai Whisper and Silver Guest.

The alleged offences were said to have happened between November 1, 2010, and March 31, 2011, which was before Chopra joined Ipswich Town.

The charges related to Heffernan?s riding of - Wanchai Whisper, Gallantry and Silver Guest.

All nine were accused of conspiring with other persons to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice.

The hearing began on January 14 at BHA headquarters in London and although 10 days had been set aside, it concluded in just four days.

Posted By: BSE Canary on January 25th 2013 at 14:03:28

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