DINO Maamria has been suspended by Northwich Victoria.

The Vics boss was told not to report for duty today, Tuesday, after the club sent him on ‘gardening leave’.

They have refused to say whether he will return.

“Dino is on gardening leave at the moment,” said owner Jim Rushe in a prepared statement.

“He will remain so pending the resolution of internal matters within the club.

“I will be making no further comment in the meantime.”

A proposed loan move for Peterborough United full back Danny Blanchett, set up by Maamria on Monday, has been scrapped as a result.

Rushe added that first team coach Mike Marsh had been put in charge of team affairs.

The former Liverpool star, hired by Maamria in Janaury, is likely to be on the bench alone when Vics head to Blue Square Premier high fliers Kettering Town on Saturday.

The Guardian tried to contact Maamria, but he was not answering calls this morning.

This development marks the end of a month to forget.

Last week he denied abusing a referee, asking for a personal hearing to put his side of the story after the Football Association charged him for comments made to match official Andrew Sainsbury during his side’s 2-1 defeat at Torquay.

No date has yet been set.

His conduct led to him being charged for ‘use of abusive and/or insulting words’.

If found guilty, he can expect a fine or a ban from the dugout.

On the pitch Vics sunk to their eighth reverse of the season on Saturday when they surrendered a 2-1 advantage before losing 3-2 to Weymouth.

It was a result that sent Northwich spinning to the bottom of the Blue Square Premier.

More to follow.