The Japanese Top League has announced that all fixtures scheduled for March will be suspended after a Red Dolphins player was arrested for alleged illegal drug use.

In a statement on Monday, the Top League said it would be using the break to restore trust with the fans, but did not confirm whether the fixtures would be rescheduled.

Kyodo News reported that New Zealander Joel Everson, who plays lock for the Red Dolphins, was arrested for alleged cocaine use.

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The arrest led the Red Dolphins to cancel all the remaining matches in their season.

The Top League had already been postponed for two weeks to deal with the outbreak of the coronavirus in Japan. Play was meant to resume this past weekend, before the latest suspension was announced.

‘We sincerely apologise to fans for the disappointment cause,’ the league said.

‘We had been working on preventative measures together with all the Top League teams, but it was insufficient. As a result we have betrayed our fans and society, and we must work diligently to restore trust.’

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