CHRIS Holder has been suspended for a month by the Speedway Control Bureau in the wake of Pirates' controversial clash with King's Lynn on Thursday.

Pirates asset Holder, who moved to King's Lynn on loan during the winter, raced in just two heats at the Adrian Flux Arena and twice missed the two-minute time allowance.

His Stars team-mate Troy Batchelor also raced just twice before withdrawing from his third and fourth programmed rides due to injury, although he guested for Swindon the following night.

Poole team boss Neil Middleditch saw his men secure a 52-40 victory but later labelled the meeting "a farce", claiming certain home riders had wanted the meeting called off.

There were 10 retirements in total but Middleditch insisted the Pirates camp had been content with track conditions, even before around half an hour's worth of repairs were carried out midway through proceedings.

Now it has emerged that Holder has been slapped with a 28-day suspension by the SCB for breaching rules SR 3.2.7 and SR 3.2.10, which cover withdrawing – or threatening to withdraw – from a meeting on the official fixture list.

King’s Lynn owner Keith Chapman told the club website: “It’s been a horrible few days for the club and I won’t make any excuse for it.

“I will personally ensure the scenes of last Thursday will never be repeated at King’s Lynn Speedway.

"I sincerely apologise to the fans. Clearly, the Poole boys had no issue with the track."