Non-league Dover Athletic have terminated the contracts of two players after they appeared in Baller League.
The National League South side confirmed that forward Francis Mampolo and midfielder Alfie Matthews had left the club on Thursday.
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The pair were axed from Dover’s squad for the 3-1 defeat at Enfield on Tuesday after appearing in the televised indoor league just 24 hours earlier.
It is the second time this season that Dover had discovered that one of their players had laced up in Baller League.
Striker George Nikaj appeared in the six-a-side competition back in December prior to Dover’s 2-1 defeat to Ebbsfleet.
Wielding the axe
A Dover Athletic statement read: “The club can confirm that the contracts of Francis Mampolo and Alfie Matthews have been terminated due to a material breach of contract.
“While disappointed that the situation has reached this point, we will always act in the best interests of Dover Athletic FC – and we expect our players to do the same.
“We would like to thank both players for their efforts during their time with us, particularly their contribution to last season’s promotion-winning campaign and we wish them all the very best for the future.
“The club will be making no further comment on this matter and remains fully focused on the remainder of the season.”
Players can earn up to £800-a-week playing in Baller League which runs over a three month period.
And Matthews, who is involved in the current series with Chloe Kelly’s team ‘Clutch FC’, is believed to have spent Tuesday evening watching the Lionesses star turn out for Arsenal Women on Tuesday evening.
Matthews opted to lend his support to Kelly in Arsenal’s 3-1 Champions League quarter-final win over Chelsea rather than be in attendance for Dover’s clash at Enfield.
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Last week Dover boss Jake Leberl addressed Matthews’ lack of game time after fans chanted and questioned his recent non-involvement.
“With the Alfie Matthews chant, I just feel sorry for the other boys,” Leberl said after his side’s 2-1 home loss to Chippenham.
“I feel sorry for Wilko (teammate George Wilkinson). It’s turning into Alfie Matthews FC.
“There’s reasons why Alfie Matthews isn’t currently in the side and I would like to think the fans will recognise that, even though I appreciate everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”
Meanwhile, Mampolo features in the Baller League for Prime FC – managed by YouTube sensation KSI.
The fallout comes just a week after fellow National League side Wealdstone released a statement after one of their players featured in Baller League.
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Sak Hassan competed last Monday for Prime FC without permission from his club.
