PASCAL CHIMBONDA has been handed a five-match stadium ban for displaying improper conduct in a fixture with Barnoldswick Town.

The former Premier League defender was punished after he was giving his marching orders from the dugout during Skelmersdale United's clash with Barlick in October.

The former only hired Chimbonda as manager six days before his red card against Barnoldswick, giving him his first job in management since retiring in 2019 aged 40.

In a statement, Skelmersdale said: "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."

Skelmersdale have also confirmed they will appeal against the severity of the punishment.

The club believe it "doesn't appear to be proportionate with the offence".

The former full-back made 149 Premier League appearances for Tottenham, Wigan, Blackburn and Sunderland.

He also won a single cap for France and was part of their squad which reached the 2006 World Cup final.

His Skelmersdale side currently find themselves five points adrift at the bottom of the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.

As for Barnoldswick Town, they had a gap in the footballing calendar last weekend and return to action this Saturday when they travel to FC Isle of Man in the North West Counties Football League – Premier Division.

Their match at Burscough on November 28 fell victim to the weather.