Dion Sanderson stripped of Birmingham City captaincy over disciplinary issue

Dion Sanderson was stripped of the captain’s armband by Birmingham City due to a disciplinary matter away from the club.

John Ruddy replaced Sanderson as Blues skipper for the 0-0 draw against Rotherham United on Saturday. Sanderson kept his place in the XI for the sixth consecutive game under Gary Rowett.

“We had an incident last week that the club was made aware of,” Rowett revealed after the match. “We made the decision to change the captain. I think it was for the right reasons. That was it.”

It is understood the matter is not football-related and won’t affect Sanderson’s participation in the remaining games of the season. It is, however, unclear as to whether Sanderson will reclaim the armband against either Huddersfield Town or Norwich City.

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Sanderson was appointed Blues captain after joining the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer. The 24-year-old has started 35 Championship games for Blues this season.

Blues have taken seven points from Rowett's opening six games in charge. They face Huddersfield and Norwich in their final two matches of the campaign.