Police send off foreign player

Half-way through a football match, a Nigerian player with Gozo's Gharb Rangers was red-carded by the police, who arrested him on charges of overstaying his visa.

Striker Dominic Matthias was arrested while in the changing room of the Gozo stadium in the half-time of a second division match against St Laurence Spurs on Thursday afternoon, sources said.

The game ended in a draw with each team scoring one goal.

His visa had allegedly expired in September and, once the paperwork is sorted out, he is expected to be deported.

A football critic, Mark Cini, said Mr Matthias was a promising player and losing him would be a great loss to his team.