MP Andrew Mackinlay has raised the row between Grays Athletic and the FA over shamed footballer Ashley Sestanovich in the House of Commons.

Midfielder Sestanovich, 26, was jailed last year for his part in a botched robbery in Streatham, south-West London, which saw a security guard shot dead At the time of his arrest, he had just joined Grays and had played briefly in one pre-season match.

He was immediately sacked by Grays, who were stunned by an FA ruling that they had to pay him around £14,000 in wages accrued while he was awaiting trial.

Grays chairman Mike Woodward has vowed not to pay the money and the issue is still awaiting resolution after the club won the right to appeal for a second time.

Sestanovich, who once posed as a body double for Thierry Henry in a Nike ad, was convicted of conspiracy to rob last year and jailed for eight years.

Now Mr Mackinlay has quizzed the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Andy Burnham over the issue.

He said: "Mindful that footballers should be role models, Grays dismissed from its football squad a player who was involved in and convicted of armed robbery, only to have the full force of the Football Association require performance of the contract.

"However, any employer has the right to dismiss someone who has brought its firm, game or team into disrepute."

The minister said he was not aware of the case, but added: "I will look at the papers."