Stanislaus sacked by Leyton Orient

Roger Stanislaus was yesterday sacked by Third Division Leyton Orient just five days after being banned from football for 12 months by the Football Association for taking a performance-enhancing drug.

Stanislaus, a 27-year-old defender, was caught out after a routine drugs test following a match against Barnet in November. He now faces a huge battle to relaunch his career after the unanimous decision to sack him by the Orient board.

Barry Hearn, the Orient chairman, said he felt that the one-year ban was a lenient one and that the board had no alternative to dismissal in order to preserve the good name of Orient and of football in general.

Hearn, reading from a prepared statement from the Orient board after a meeting at the ground yesterday morning, said: "At a meeting earlier today the board of Leyton Orient voted unanimously to terminate Roger Stanislaus's contract with immediate effect.

"In considering all the factors we felt the good name of Leyton Orient as the Littlewoods Community Club of the Year and the very high percentage of young supporters we attract were two of the overriding reasons.

"In addition the fact that Roger's version of events that led to him testing positive for cocaine was heavily contradicted by expert medical testimony, has, in our opinion, left the club with no possible alternative.''

Lucas Radebe and Phil Masinga, the Leeds United players, were yesterday carpeted by their manager Howard Wilkinson for their late return to Elland Road from African Nations' Cup duty.

Wilkinson was angry that the pair, who helped South Africa win the competition, reported 24 hours later than scheduled. "I have spoken to both players but what was said is a private matter," Wilkinson said.

Leeds were due to have visited Bolton in the fourth round of the FA Cup last night, but the match has been postponed because of snow.

Howard King, the former Premiership referee, yesterday insisted he would not be attending a Football Association of Wales hearing on 14 February to answer disciplinary charges.

The FAW charged King, who is based in Merthyr Tydfil, with bringing the game into disrepute after Sunday newspaper confessions that he was supplied with vice girls before he took charge of cup-ties in Europe.