Holy Mount Zion has been suspended from the Maccabi Southern Football League, a Jewish league in London, England, for fielding players from other religions under fake names.

A referee became suspicious after hearing players officially registered under the names of Danny Potter and Simon Laub being called "Mariusz" and "Javier" by their teammates.

League chiefs investigated and discovered the men's Facebook profiles under their real names.

HMZ manager Rob Lerner said he fielded the players because his squad was too small: "I didn't have much choice. I had to, it is the only way I could get a team out.'' Six other HMZ players have now been asked by the league to prove their ''Jewish origins.''