Wigan, England (My Sportsbook) - Marlon King will launch an appeal against his 18-month prison sentence and subsequent sacking by Wigan, according to his agent.

The 29-year-old forward was found guilty of sexual assault and actual bodily harm on Thursday following an incident in a London nightclub ten months ago when he was on loan with Hull City.

Latics chairman Dave Whelan confirmed on Thursday that King will never play for the club again, but the player's agent, Tony Finnegan, told BBC Radio Five Live: "No one saw this coming in light of the evidence.

"He's very, very disappointed because, clearly, as he said in his evidence, it's mistaken identity. He didn't do that.

"He'll be devastated, sitting in a cell with someone tonight. But he's a grown man, he's been there before and he'll take it on the chin.

"I asked Marlon and he said 'I'm not guilty, Tony - I didn't do it. I want the British justice system to find me not guilty.'

"But the chairman of a professional football club is now saying to everybody throughout Britain that this man will never play football again.

"The chairman's got a choice. If the chairman, which is his right, decides to sack Marlon King under gross misconduct, he would have to put that in writing, first and foremost.

"Then he has a right of appeal to the Premier League, in writing.

"While the appeal process goes in, which will be on Monday, this lad could be out in two, three weeks, four weeks, then those bail conditions will be subject to him being in his house.

"If Wigan aren't successful in sacking this player and he comes out in three months' time and he wanted to be signed by another Premiership club, do Wigan allow him to go for nothing or do they seek a fee?"

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)