Striker sacked for tweet

Oxford City striker Lee Steele made a remark on the social networking site about former Welsh rugby captain Gareth Thomas, who is currently appearing on Celebrity Big Brother.

Thomas announced he was gay in 2009 and Steele tweeted while watching the show that he "wouldn’t fancy the bed next to Gareth Thomas #padlock my a**e".

Oxford City manager Mike Ford said they had no option but to dismiss the striker.

"On this occasion Lee's had to pay for his error of judgement," he said.

A club statement read: "The Oxford City board have decided to release Lee Steele in view of his recent comment via social media which is considered seriously contrary to the ethos of the club."

Oxford City currently play in the Southern Football League Premier Division.

Steele, now 38, had a long career in the Football League playing for the likes of Shrewsbury, Brighton, Oxford United and Leyton Orient.

He was part of the Brighton squad that won Division Two (now League One) back in 2001/02.