Fans prompted SFA action - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Fans prompted SFA action

Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor were handed a lifetime ban from international duty after pressure from angry Tartan Army fans was brought to bear on the Scottish Football Association.

The Rangers duo were dropped to the bench for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Iceland at Hampden after a drinking session at the Cameron House Hotel following their 3-0 defeat by Holland on Saturday night.

That looked like that may have been the extent of their punishment. However, it is understood that it was an avalanche of complaints from Scotland fans to the SFA offices at Hampden which led to the apparent U-turn by the governing body.

Scotland manager George Burley claimed after the 2-1 win that Ferguson would remain skipper and McGregor would also be back for the next World Cup qualifier against Norway in August, a decision that was later backed by SFA chief executive Gordon Smith.

However, newspaper photographs the next day showed they had been apparently making V-signs while on the bench at Hampden.

Following a further meeting between Smith and Burley, sanctioned by the SFA board, it was decided neither player would play for Scotland again.

An SFA spokesman said: "In light of the events of the past 48 hours and following further discussions between the national team manager and the chief executive, it has been decided that Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor will no longer be considered for international selection by Scotland.

"This action has been taken in the best interest of the squad, the fans and the country.

"We are determined to qualify for the World Cup and we must ensure that nothing is allowed to distract us from achieving this goal."

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