Blues star denied of captaincy over disciplinary problem

John Ruddy replaced Dion Sanderson as Birmingham City captain for the Championship match against Rotherham United.

Birmingham City stripped Dion Sanderson of the captain’s armband owing to a disciplinary matter outside of the club.

Blues captain John Ruddy took over for Sanderson in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Rotherham United. Sanderson remained in the starting XI for the sixth game in a row under Gary Rowett.

“We had an incident last week that the club was made aware of,” Rowett stated following the game. “We decided to change the skipper. I believe it was for the correct reasons. “That was it.”

It is understood that the issue is not football-related and will not hinder Sanderson’s participation in the remaining games of the season. It is unknown whether Sanderson will retake the armband against Huddersfield Town or Norwich City.

Sanderson was selected Blues captain after signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer. The 24-year-old has started 35 Championship games for the Blues this season.

The Blues have taken seven points from Rowett’s first six games in command. They face Huddersfield and Norwich in their final two games of the season.