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Sutton manager: Pie 'nightmare' left Shaw in tears

Andrew Couldridge / Reuters

What started as a bit of banter has turned into a nightmare.

Sutton United manager Paul Doswell says the now-infamous Wayne Shaw, the backup 'keeper who was forced to leave the club after his pie-eating stunt on Monday prompted a betting probe from both the FA and the U.K. Gambling Commission, was in tears when discussing the incident with him.

Related: Wayne Shaw resigns from Sutton amid pie bet investigation

"He's made a bad error of judgement," Doswell told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I spoke to him on the phone and he was crying. In the end we had to almost stop talking to each other because it was that type of conversation," added Doswell.

Shaw, the 45-year-old who also had a coaching role with the National League club, resigned Tuesday after it became clear that his decision to eat a pie while on the bench during Monday's FA Cup tie with Arsenal was the result of a stunt put on by club sponsor Sun Bets.

The hefty shot-stopper was aware that the betting website had offered 8-1 odds on him eating a pie live on the air at any point during the eventual 2-0 loss to the Gunners.

"We are going to be investigated, and it has turned into a bit of a nightmare," Doswell said.

"He's been caught in this mad world over the last month that has enveloped us. His profile has got bigger and bigger, I think he embraced that.

"Whilst we were very much concentrating on the football, I think Wayne was almost becoming like a superstar.

"The team were magnificent against Arsenal, but to think someone's openly eating a pie behind them reflects very much away from what they did. I know Wayne regrets it, he is very, very sorry about the whole situation."

While he admits that Shaw was naive in the matter, Doswell can't help but feel for his former backup netminder.

"I'm devastated for him. This is someone who's got a family to support.

"My overriding wish is he'd have asked my advice because very clearly I'd have advised him not to do it. I wouldn't have allowed him to do it."

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