MK Dons midfielder pictured urinating in a cup at Cheltenham

Cheltenham racecourse has cancelled a group booking involving the MK Dons midfielder Samir Caruthers after he appeared to be pictured urinating into a pint glass at the Festival on Tuesday.

MK Dons have confirmed they will conduct an investigation after the former Arsenal and Aston Villa youth team player and Ireland U-19 and U-21 internaitonal was seen enjoying the hospitality in the racecourse’s VIP section when he appeared to relieve himself in an empty pint glass.

Bristol City's Luke Ayling and the Northampton Town forward James Collins were also pictured laughing and joking about the incident, which was featured in several of Wednesday's newspapers.

Cheltenham responded by cancelling Wednesday’s booking. A tweet from the course said: “In regards to images of inappropriate behaviour from yesterday, we have cancelled their booking for today.”

An MK Dons spokesman said on Tuesday night: “The club is aware of pictures circulating in the national media of one of its players at the Cheltenham Festival. The club has commenced an internal investigation into the matter.”

Northampton have also launched an investigation into the conduct of their forward Collins, who is on loan from Shrewsbury Town. A statement from the League Two leaders said: “As a club we take any such claims extremely seriously, and we expect the highest standards of behaviour at all times.

“We are unable to comment further until this investigation has been completed.”

Bristol City have also responded with regards to Ayling. While there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing from the 24-year-old, the Championship club said in a statement: “We are aware of the disappointing images from the Cheltenham Festival that have been printed in various national newspapers this morning.

“We will be speaking to the players concerned and will take appropriate action where necessary.”

(Guardian service)