Brendon Batson, of the English Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), yesterday criticised what he called Charlton's "premature" sacking of defender Jamie Stuart for failing a drugs test.

Stuart tested positive for cocaine and marijuana when the Football Association's doping control unit visited Charlton's training ground on November 17th.

The 21-year-old former England under-21 international had his suspension from football extended yesterday for a further three months when he appeared before a FA disciplinary hearing.

He will undergo counselling and rehabilitation during that period, and will then reappear before a three-man FA disciplinary panel, who will assess his progress.

He was first suspended and then released by the First Division club and PFA deputy chief executive Batson hit out at Charlton's decision to terminate his contract so quickly - against the players' union's advice.

"I'm very disappointed with that," said Batson, who attended the hearing when the panel took into account an undisclosed "traumatic family crisis" that took place at the time of the incident.

"We had spoken at length with the club. I think they've acted very prematurely bearing in mind what's gone on today. We advised that they should hold fire until such time as this hearing had been completed and I would hope that they may reconsider their position and give him as much support as possible.

"Everybody makes mistakes and we're talking about young men. We appreciate that there is a drugs problem out there and it would be naive of us to think it doesn't affect young men.

"I think with Jamie he has got a period of assessment and rehabilitation and I hope Charlton will reconsider the decision."

In effect, Stuart will serve a four-month ban from the game before his case is re-assessed and Batson denied that he was getting off lightly.

"I think the FA have been very fair. They've given him a very good hearing and they've come up with a decision that was the best that they could do.

"They recognised he is very remorseful. He knows he made a stupid mistake and that he has a problem he has to address and that's why they've recommended he has a period of rehabilitation and some counselling. I don't think he's getting away with it."