Sunderland are already in deep trouble of being relegated from the Premier League but tonight stories are revealing that the Black Cats have further worries off the pitch.

Reports have emerged from the Daily Mail that South Korean striker Ji-Dong Won was played by Premier League strugglers Sunderland in four league games at the start of this campaign, but the club had failed to receive international clearance for the player.

The Augsburg forward, who had been sold to the Bundesliga and then signed by Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window is now at the centre of a Football Association investigation into the North East’s club handling of the matter.

In the two-and-half years at the club, the South Korean played in 28 games for Sunderland and netted just twice and often came under fire from fans. The 22-year-old featured against Fulham, Southampton and Crystal Palace in August and Manchester United in October before it was discovered that the striker did not have the correct authority.

The player is set to star in the upcoming World Cup finals in Brazil where South Korea will face Russia, Algeria and Belgium in the group stage.

Club secretary Elizabeth Coley was ordered to be immediately fired by American owner Ellis Short after it was discovered it was her error has left the Black Cats facing an enquiry, while the club are already facing an uphill battle against relegation.

Sunderland were fined by the FA for fielding an ineligible player to add more pressure to the horrid season that would seriously hamper their chances of Premier League survival. The Black Cats already sit four points from safety with just eight games to go.

Betfair’s odds have been slashed to 2/5 for the Mackems to be relegated to the Championship after Monday’s home 2-1 defeat to West Ham United. If they do face a point penalty for the error, it might be worth for football fans of any club to have a little wager on this price.

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