DRUG DEALER SUSPENDED BY BADGERS

WESSEX Premier outfit Brockenhurst have suspended utility player Jude Nwachukwu after finding out about his conviction for drug dealing.

Nwachukwu, 25, turned out for the Badgers in their 3-0 home defeat by Portland United only hours after he was given a two-year suspended sentence at Southampton Crown Court when he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of cannabis, a Class B drug, with intent to supply.

He was also ordered to carry out 280 hours of unpaid work as well as 16 hours of rehabilitation activity requirement.

Yet he was dropped from Brockenhurst’s next match, against Christchurch, after club officials found out about his conviction.

A statement from the club said: “We had no prior knowledge of the charges against Jude and we were shocked and bitterly disappointed to receive the news.

“The club takes its responsibility in the pastoral care of our players very seriously and suspended Jude within 24 hours of his conviction.”

● Eynesbury Rovers have sacked a player following an incident of alleged racist abuse against a teenage opponent.

The FA is also investigating the incident which occurred during their United Counties Premier 3-3 draw at home to Leicester Nirvana.

Not naming the player, Eynesbury said in a statement: “The club would like to state that the player in question has been expelled from the club.

“This comes with the full support of our management team of Mark Ducket and Warren Brown.

“The club would like to apologise for the incident and also thank the officials of Leicester Nirvana for the way they handled the situation. As this is now in the hands of the FA no further comment will be made.”