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Page last updated at 17:37 GMT, Monday, 18 October 2010 18:37 UK

Rangers and SFA to hold talks over Allan McGregor ban

Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor
McGregor was on Scotland duty when notified about his ban

Angry Rangers chief executive Martin Bain will hold talks with his Scottish Football Association counterpart over Allan McGregor's suspension.

The goalkeeper was banned for Saturday's 4-1 win over Motherwell.

That came after an SFA review panel viewed video evidence of a kick aimed at Aberdeen striker Chris Maguire.

"I fired off a strongly-worded letter to the SFA. I've since had a reply and I'm due to meet the chief executive later this week," said Bain.

Rangers had been angered by the way the investigation into the incident had been handled by the governing body.

We are angry about it, the procedures are wrong and hopefully the new chief executive will address those

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain

A hearing took place while McGregor was on international duty with Scotland, with both the player and Rangers officially learning of his ban the day after the defeat by the Czech Republic in Prague.

Now Bain has told shareholders at Rangers' annual meeting that he is set to meet with new SFA chief executive Stewart Regan.

"Allan McGregor receiving a retrospective ban in the fashion that he did is something that has angered the club greatly," said the Rangers chief.

"For whatever reason, it took 11 days for us to be informed officially. Firstly, that's not good enough. Secondly, the conclusion of the whole thing was in the form of a letter.

"That angered us greatly because that is a complete move from previous procedure, when we were always told by telephone by the SFA. On that day, I was told we would only know by recorded delivery letter."

Bain had written to the SFA before the match against the Czech Republic but did not wish to make waves in public at the time.

"As a football club, we weren't going to say anything publicly about our actions because we have no intention whatsoever of being accused of undermining Scotland and their performance with two matches imminent," he added.

"But we are angry about it, the procedures are wrong and hopefully the new chief executive will address those in the coming week."

Regan has already stated that the circumstances were unfortunate as the procedures had been delayed until he had taken up his post.

The chief executive said he had already taken steps to tighten procedures.



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see also
No U-turn over Smith's Ibrox exit
18 Oct 10 |  Rangers
Rangers hopeful Miller will stay
18 Oct 10 |  Rangers
SFA to modify disciplinary system
15 Oct 10 |  Scotland
Smith wants disciplinary equality
15 Oct 10 |  Rangers
One-match ban for keeper McGregor
09 Oct 10 |  Rangers


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