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Ex-Sutton keeper Wayne Shaw: 'My world fell in' after 'piegate' controversy

Wayne Shaw feared his exit from FA Cup heroes Sutton United could lead to depression and revealed that he still has a "knot in his stomach'' about the incident.

The 45-year-old, who held several positions at the National League club, including backup goalkeeper, lost his job after being seen eating a pie on television during his giant-killing side's high-profile FA Cup fifth-round clash with Arsenal in February.

Following the match, which Arsenal won 2-0, it emerged Shaw knew Sun Bets had offered odds of 8-1 that he would be seen eating on camera.

Sutton swiftly terminated his contract, but he has denied making any money from the stunt and said the fallout left him fearing for his mental health.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: "My world fell in. I was in tears. I had never been sacked in my life. It's on my mind every day, it probably will be for a long time.

"I've been through depression. I wasn't sleeping right, I could feel myself getting stressed. And I've still got that knot in my stomach.''

The Football Association and Gambling Commission opted to look into the incident and, the day after the game, Shaw lost his job.

"The following afternoon it was a situation where I either resigned or they sacked me,'' he added. "No-one asked for my side of the story. The club's knee-jerk reaction was that they wanted nothing to do with it.

"I haven't made any money and my friends haven't made any money. I probably got carried away, after a whole career of having the mickey taking out of me. That was all it was meant to be.''

The investigation is still ongoing and Shaw said: "I'm still left in limbo. Hopefully I've got nothing to answer to because I haven't done anything. I've never been in trouble before and it's like I've done something criminal.''

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