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Nihon University to disband scandal-ridden American football team

TOKYO - Nihon University has decided to close down its American football team following the arrests of three of its members in drug-related scandals.

A member in his third year at the university was arrested in August on suspicion of hiding marijuana and a stimulant drug in a student dormitory. He was later indicted on charges of violating the narcotics control law.

A fourth-year member was subsequently issued a summary indictment for purchasing illegal drugs believed to be cannabis from a dealer in Tokyo.

Most recently, a third-year member was arrested on Monday on suspicion of buying cannabis.

Nihon University closed the dormitory in August and suspended the team's activities indefinitely.

The university says the plan to scrap the team was presented at a meeting of its competitive sports management committee on Tuesday.

The Kantoh Collegiate Football Association says 122 players and staff were registered as members of Nihon University's American football team as of the end of July.

The association says their membership will be cancelled if the team is dissolved.

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