Gambian player faces deportation from UK

Hassan Nyang, a Gambian player with the English lower league side, Merstham FC,  will have to coming back to The Gambia  to sort himself out, after he claimed to have lost his passport and therefore his work visa.

Rumours concerning the former Africell-Sait Matty FC midfielder have been going round and one club even contacted the Ryman League to make them aware of the situation. The Isthmian League Division One South club maintain the player has done nothing wrong and is not going to be forced to leave the country.

A statement issued by the club said: "Hassan Nyang has lost his passport and therefore his work visa. "He will be going to The Gambia shortly to sort this out. On his return he will resume playing for Merstham FC, he has international clearance to do so."   There was concern last week that the situation could land the club in trouble with the FA, with even a points deduction being touted.

However, the Surrey Mirror understands the Moatsiders will face no charges related to the player and do not face the prospect of any sanctions from the Ryman League, who are not investigating the issue.

Richard Baxter, Merstham's secretary, said the club were very unhappy about the way Nyang was being treated. He said: "The player is clearly upset by what has been spread about him which is totally untrue. He hasn't been arrested and while he was questioned by immigration officials they simply told him what he needs to do.

"He hasn't been playing as he has understandably not been in the right frame of mind but when he returns we're sure he'll be able to play again. "The club give him our full backing and we are very happy to have him." Baxter added the club felt other clubs were spreading the rumours in the hope it would land Merstham in trouble.

"There are clubs who would like to see us fail and docked points because of the success we have had but everything is in order as he has full international clearance to play."