Football: Gascoigne ban sparks call for video evidence

The Scottish Football Association was yesterday urged to open the way for video evidence to be used in disciplinary matters, as Paul Gascoigne faced up to a five-match ban following his sending-off.

The Rangers and England midfield player was dismissed for violent conduct by the referee John Rowbotham in the Old Firm match on Tuesday after clashing with Morten Wieghorst, and now misses his side's December programme.

But even the Dane, who admitted he tugged Gascoigne's shirt, thought the punishment was too severe and television replays showed contact was only minimal.

Now the Scottish Players' Union have called for the SFA to allow appeals using video evidence to be made. The players' union leader, Tony Higgins, who is already debating the matter with the Managers and Coaches Association, believes the use of video evidence is a sensible and fair road to go down.

Gascoigne had already accumulated nine disciplinary points for bookings. Tuesday's offence cost him another 12 points, taking his total to 21 and over the threshold. He serves an automatic one-match ban after his dismissal in the 58th minute which means he will miss the match with Motherwell on Saturday.

Gascoigne will return for the game against St Johnstone the following Saturday before beginning a four-match ban on 3 December.