Gillingham FC have imposed a media blackout this week in the wake of the club's humiliating FA Cup defeat.

The temporary ban, which includes players and the management team, runs until the Gills' home game against Crewe on Saturday.

Chairman Paul Scally told the Medway Messenger it is so players can focus on the match as the club languishes three points from the bottom of the League Two table.

It means there has been no public statement from the club since Saturday's disappointing 2-0 defeat to Dover, which saw the Gills drop out of the FA Cup.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler threatened to put the majority of the team on the transfer list at a press conference immediately after the game at Priestfield.

The weekly pre-match press conference on Thursday has been cancelled as part of the ban.

It also means the Medway Messenger does not have a column this week from midfielder Mark Bentley, who has been writing for the paper all season.

Mr Scally said: "There is no media ban, but the club will not be speaking to anyone from the media this week as we wish to focus solely on the weekend ahead.

"The press conference this week has been cancelled. We will speak to the press after the next game against Crewe."

Neil Templeman, of Gills sponsors Automatic Retailing, did not have a comment on the temporary ban.

There are no rules governing Football League clubs and their interaction with the media, unlike in the Premier League, where teams have media obligations.

A Football League spokesman said: "It is down to the club when they speak to the media."

Last week, graffiti was calling for Andy Hessenthaler and Paul Scally to resign was painted over Priestfield stadium.