TWO non-league footballers from Croydon charged as part of an investigation into match fixing have been sacked by their club.
Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, 22, were charged with conspiracy to defraud last Thursday following an ongoing investigation by the National Crime Agency.
The following day their club, Brighton-based Whitehawk FC, issued a statement announcing the players had both been dismissed for bringing the Conference South club into "disrepute".
Director Mark Turner said: "The board are disappointed by these allegations and have taken steps to protect the club."
He added that the board, coaching staff and other players had been "completely unaware" of their alleged actions, and asked supporters to "rally-round" the team.
Mr Adelakun is a former Crystal Palace youth player who went on to play for Carshalton Athletic before signing for Whitehawk. Mr Boateng formerly played for Newport County, Bristol Rovers and Sutton United.
The National Crime Agency has been investigating an alleged international betting syndicate.
Two other men, one Singaporean and the other with dual UK-Singapore nationality, were charged last month.
Chann Sankaran and Krishna Ganeshan were charged on November 28 and are currently remanded in custody.
Mr Adelakun and Mr Boateng are charged with conspiring together with Mr Sankaran and Mr Ganeshan, and others, to "defraud bookmakers by influencing the course of football matches and placing bets thereon".
They have been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on December 11.
