Football: Fury over Ferguson's record ban

RANGERS will consider making an appeal and also taking legal action against the Scottish Football Association, whose disciplinary committee yesterday suspended Duncan Ferguson, the pounds 4m Rangers striker, for a record 12 games for an alleged head-butt on Raith Rovers' John McStay, writes David McKinney.

It is the stiffest punishment ever handed out in Scotland, or indeed Britain, for a single offence and with a court case pending for Ferguson, Donald Findlay QC, the Rangers director, felt yesterday's decision could have a bad effect on the player.

'We must now consider the question of an appeal and we will look to see if any legal steps can be taken against the SFA as a body and against any individual members of the disciplinary committee,' he said.

After their co-operation, John McStay and Raith Rovers had their suspensions quashed. They had been banned from any kind of football after the player had failed to appear for Monday's original meeting.

Ferguson is now set to miss the Scottish Cup final, against his former club, Dundee United, on 21 May. His suspension will have immediate effect and he will have seven days in which to lodge an appeal. He will be backed by his club and the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association.