[thfccambs]

West Ham midfielder Shaun Newton has been suspended for seven months after testing positive for cocaine.
The 30-year-old provided the positive test following the FA Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough on 23 April.

The Football Association said he would now be subject to target testing throughout the suspension.

An FA statement said: "The ban applies to matches but not training and other football activities and started 20 May, the date he was suspended by his club."

A statement on the Hammers website said: "West Ham United regret to announce that midfielder Shaun Newton has been suspended for seven months by the Football Association after he failed a drugs test.

"He was suspended by the club on 20 May pending the FA investigation and the ban will apply from that date.

"The suspension was announced today following an FA Disciplinary Commission hearing on Tuesday."

Newton was not among the West Ham party travelling to Sweden on Wednesday for their pre-season tour.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor told Sky Sports News: "He is an experienced professional but this is the price he is having to pay.

"Players are told the rules at the beginning of every season and there really are no mitigating circumstances."


How stupid can someone be?

[booyaka]

stupid stupid boy.

no sympathy for him -

[shay0]

Similar bout of stupidity hit Halifax's Goalkeeper last season. He'd previously been convicted of Drink Driving, which the club helped him through, after all everyone deserves a chance I suppose. He then went and did the same thing the next season Needless to say, he was sacked with immediate effect, except they kept hold of his contract for a couple of months, so he couldn't play for anyopne else.

Some people just never learn

[Dubster]

He should of got a lot longer ban i reckon, hes a very lucky boy.

[hottstuff]

Stupid is an understatement.