Huddersfield striker fails second dope test

The Huddersfield Town striker Craig Whitington was yesterday charged with misconduct by the Football Association after traces of cannabis were found in a sample for the second time in 10 months.

Whitington, who has been suspended by his club, has 14 days to respond to the charge, which follows last week's decision by Leyton Orient to sack Roger Stanislaus after the defender tested positive for cocaine. Whitington faces a lengthy suspension after becoming the first player to test positive for banned substances on two occasions.

An FA spokesman, Steve Double, said: "We regard it as a very serious matter. In dealing with so-called social drugs we offer a degree of sympathy. They are given a second chance and we expect them to take it."

Huddersfield said in a statement: "The board of directors, the manager and the club take a very serious view of the matter. The player has the right to respond to the charge. We have no further comment to make until then."

Confusion surrounded the managerial position at Swansea City yesterday after Kevin Cullis denied claims by the club that he had resigned for personal reasons, less than a week after taking charge, following Tuesday's 4-0 defeat at Blackpool.

Cullis said: "I have no intention of resigning and I have not had any conversation with the club at all today. Until told otherwise I am the manager of Swansea City Football Club and I am ready to prepare the team for Saturday's game with Hull."

Mick McCarthy has been told by the Football Association of Ireland that he cannot recruit his former Millwall No 2, Ian Evans, as a full-time assistant. The FAI insists he makes a part-time appointment. "I'd have loved Ian Evans to be my assistant. I wanted him to do it but I'm not being allowed to have him," McCarthy said.

Neil Lennon, the Crewe and Northern Ireland midfielder, has turned down a pounds 750,000 move to Coventry because of a "gut feeling" it was not right for him, despite agreeing personal terms.

Eric Cantona and David Ginola's chances of appearing in Euro 96 dimmed further yesterday when they were again left out of the France squad, this time for next Wednesday's friendly against Greece in Nimes.

Howard King, the Merthyr referee who retired in 1994 after taking charge of 500 League games, 44 European ties and 20 internationals, has been banned from any involvement in football for 10 years after admitting accepting bribes before European ties.