Worcester Wolves have been handed a fine by the British Basketball League and will not play again this year.

The University of Worcester-based club are in turmoil following the racism row which has seen coach Chuck Evans resign, five players sacked and former player-coach Skouson Harker subjected to disciplinary action.

Wolves no longer have enough players and have informed the league they cannot fulfil their next five fixtures, which has resulted in them being slapped with an undisclosed fine.

Sheffield Sharks will take their place at Guildford Heat on Saturday and Worthing Thunder, Sunday’s opponents, will now host Newcastle Eagles.

Home games at Henwick Grove against Everton Tigers, Essex Pirates and PAWS London Capital, originally set for Saturday, December 12, Wednesday 16 and Saturday 19 respectively, are also affected.

All matches will have to be rescheduled and Wolves’ next fixture will now be a trip to Sheffield Sharks on Sunday, January 3, 2010.

Worcester’s chairman Roger Clarke, who declined to reveal the size of the fine, said the BBL were being supportive but had to take the other clubs into account given the short notice of cancellations.

“It’s harsh but understandable because it’s a professional league,” he said.

“We can’t field a team with the players that went on strike having been dismissed. We have got to get a recruiting campaign going for players and a coach.”

Only Harry Disy, Siman Stewart, Roy Owen and Damian Cope remain part of the first-team squad and Clarke has ruled out making up the side’s numbers with second-team players following last weekend’s 111-59 thrashing at Glasgow Rocks.

“To send a second team is just not practical,” the chairman added. “We sent the second team to Scotland last week and they also have their own fixtures in the English Basketball League.”

A BBL statement read: “Late last week Worcester Wolves made the BBL aware of a major problem that had arisen at the club relating to the coaching and playing staff.

“In light of the above, Wolves are not currently in a position to fulfil their next five fixtures and, in accordance with BBL rules, have been fined.

“The BBL remain in regular contact with the Wolves management as they work through this difficult situation.”

Chairman Clarke added the disciplinary situation surrounding Harker is “on-going” and he hoped the matter would be resolved later this week.

The crisis started when coach Evans was disciplined for making alleged racist remarks towards his team during a post-match analysis session.

That prompted several players to go on an unauthorised strike and subsequently led to five having their contracts terminated.

Evans has since admitted he was wrong to make the comments but quit “to protect the integrity of the club”.