Red card for soccer publishing boss

NON-LEAGUE Media, the publisher investigating allegations that its cash position had been overstated, has ousted its chairman and major shareholder.

The group, suspended last week from trading on the Alternative Investment Market, said Graham Gutteridge had been removed by way of a specific provision included in its articles of association. Chief executive Steve Ireland has been named acting chairman. Gutteridge holds 30% of the stock.

The company said last week that its cash position had been exaggerated in its interim accounts, and that its net debt of £694,000 had been 'materially understated'. Finance director Fiaz ur Rehman quit last week.

Non-League said its investigation continuws and that it would make a further statement in due course. It would remain suspended pending that announcement.

The company, which has Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson among its non-executives, publishes titles aimed at fans of non-league soccer, including Non-League Paper and She Kicks, a women's football magazine.