Ex-Sunderland and Tottenham star handed five-match stadium ban for improper conduct

Former Sunderland and Tottenham right-back Pascal Chimbonda has been handed a five-match stadium ban.

Chimbonda took his first steps into management earlier this with Skelmersdale United FC in non-league but has landed himself in hot water.

Skelmersdale United FC operate out of Lancashire and are currently a member of the North West Counties League Premier Division, which is level nine on the pyramid.

A thread posted on the club's official Twitter account read: "Pascal Chimbonda has been served with a five-match stadium ban for Improper Conduct which will take effect immediately.

"This is in relation to his sending off on the 21st October 2023 during the game against Barnoldswick Town.

"Pascal would like to state that, although he pleaded guilty to the offence of leaving his technical area, he did so with the sole intention of preventing his players from getting hurt in a melee which had developed on the field of play.

"The club have appealed against the severity of the punishment as it doesn't appear to be proportionate with the offence. Particularly as his previous disciplinary record is totally unblemished.

"The club won't be releasing any further statements until the outcome of the appeal."

The Frenchman signed for Sunderland under Roy Keane for around £3million back in 2008 but didn't see eye-to-eye with his manager and was sold back to Tottenham Hotspur just a year later.

The right-back then enjoyed stints at Blackburn Rovers, Queen's Park Rangers and Doncaster Rovers before enjoying stints at North East clubs Carlisle United, Washington and Ashington Town.