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Lifetime bans for Gers duo
Ban shock for Scottish duo following inquiry over conduct
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 3rd April 2009 
Ferguson & McGregor: Banned
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Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor have been banned from ever representing Scotland again, while Rangers have suspended the pair for a fortnight without pay.
The news comes after an internal club inquiry into the players' conduct over the last week while on international duty with Scotland.
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.
Hard line
"We are determined to qualify for the World Cup and we must ensure that nothing is allowed to distract us from achieving this goal."
Midfielder Ferguson - who has been stripped of both club and country captaincy - and goalkeeper McGregor were called into a meeting with Gers Chief Executive Martin Bain at Murray Park on Friday, before Bain gave his verdict on the club's official website.
He said: "The overall conduct of the players during the last week while on Scotland duty has, regrettably, fallen considerably short of standards expected by Rangers Football Club and our supporters and has brought the Club into disrepute.
"The management of the Club has taken the view that this has damaged both Rangers and Scotland and is unacceptable.
"Even though our Club is entering a critical stage of the league season and the later stages of the Scottish Cup, appropriate disciplinary action was required."
The pair, who were involved in a lengthy drinking session after returning to Scotland from Holland last weekend, before making 'V signs' with their hands during the midweek match against Iceland, were both remorseful of their actions.
Apologies
Ferguson said: "I deeply regret what happened last weekend and the events during the last week and apologise wholeheartedly for the embarrassment caused to Scotland, Rangers, both sets of supporters and my friends and family.
"I have always considered playing for Rangers and Scotland an honour and a privilege and nothing will change that and I am bitterly disappointed by the announcement that I will not be selected for Scotland again."
McGregor - who made his competitive debut against Holland on Saturday - added: "I was absolutely delighted to be selected for Scotland last weekend and I am deeply sorry over what has happened since then.
"We all make mistakes in life and I am very disappointed to have let Rangers, Scotland, my family, all the fans down.
"I am also desperately disappointed that I will not be selected again for Scotland at this stage in my career."
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Comments (47)
Chris Walch (Chelsea fan) says...
I'm English and a rugby fan and so may be able to see this more objectively than most. Yes, these boys were silly and deserve punishment and an example needs to be set. A lifetime ban from national selection however doesn't seem proportionate. I trust an appeal against the sentance will see a more rational sentance from the SFA, such as a one or two year ban, surely that would be sufficient punishment and deterrance to uphold SFA credibility and national pride. There are precious few of us who have not done much worse and received much less. I think these boys have learned their lesson and have certainly shown remorse. (PS. Don't see why I had to choose a football team in order to post a message).
Posted 22:27 3rd April 2009
George Mcmillan (Celtic fan) says...
I think we are getting carried away here, yes, what they did was wrong but lets get real here it was two guys having a drink with colleagues ( some of which have got away scot free) and unless Im mistaken the manager does not come out of this smelling of roses. What they did was wrong but surley they dont deserve to lose there jobs over this? Why did the press wait until the day of an important match to release this info? Give them a ban and a suspension and lets get on with the task of qualifying.
Posted 22:24 3rd April 2009
Eck Crombie (Arsenal fan) says...
Now we all know that footballers are as a rule not very bright and grossly overpaid for what they do. McGregor and Ferguson however must be in a class of their own. Unless they were trying to make a point about something and I dont think they have the intelligence to think up a plan never mind implement it. McGregor is a competent keeper and Ferguson is a moderately talented home town boy who couldn't hack it in the premiership. No loss to Scotland or the mighty Glasgow Rangers
Posted 22:23 3rd April 2009
Robert Williamson (Rangers fan) says...
The original punishment was because of the all night drinking. The life time ban was because of their behavior on the bench. If they had accepted their punishment like men and not childish morons they would still be scotland players.
Posted 22:19 3rd April 2009
Alan Lammie (Rangers fan) says...
What punishment Scoland choose to dish up is up to the SFA. And really, I couldn't care less. But why are Rangers Football Club getting involved? How many times have players got into trouble when on International duty, and then been punished by the governing body of that nation - many a time. How many times has the players clubs then went and punished the players - NEVER!!! This has nothing to do with Rangers. Did Celtic react with Arthur Boruc - NO!!! We are just looking for excuses. 1: Walter Smith does not have the bottle to drop Ferguson. And will use this as his excuse to do. 2: David Murry see's the money singns with McGregor, and will now use this as an excuse to sell him. Rangers have never shown the fans any respect. Have never stood up for us in recent times. So why act now? Why make a stance saying that have brought shame on us? the amount of times the media have taking digs at us - and the do nothing. David Murry and Martin Bain do not care about Rangers. Lastly, why are we donating the players wages to charity? Must be nearly 100k. We are meant to be skint. And we're given money away. Nice one.
Posted 22:15 3rd April 2009
Ian Paterson (Rangers fan) says...
Where was Burley and Butcher during the late drinking session? Has the SFA gone mad....a life time ban, we dont have enough players to start with....Rangers need to get some respect back into the club, well done Walter. Our goalie needs to grow up as his form has dropped this season..he has got a lot to learn yet...but maybe not at Ibrox. Sad but you dont realise what you have lost until you lose it..no more braging from Greegs
Posted 22:11 3rd April 2009
Alex Stewart (Celtic fan) says...
Good on Walter Smith, Martin Bain and Rangers football club for standing up for their principles!!! They could easily have ignored these incidents in favour of letting their so called "stars" play for their club in what could be a tough few weeks for them. It shows that whatever people might say about old firm players and staff that at least we all recognise when someone is out of order. By the way - Scotland actually played better without Ferguson and the ball travelled forward quicker and more often than any time he has played!!!
Posted 22:07 3rd April 2009
Kevin Gillen (Sunderland fan) says...
Totally agree with what has happened to these two so called stars. Nobody is bigger than the club or country. Hopefully it is lesson to all!
Posted 21:34 3rd April 2009
Jamie Rennison (Leeds United fan) says...
This is the most socking news i have heard all year! A lifetime ban just for getting drunk and sticking two's up? That is the most pathetic reason to ban someone. Getting drunk maybe so, if you're a pro footballer then you have to set a standard and live upto it, but getting banned for life just for doing so is not a way to punish two players which are the highlight of the Scottish team!
Posted 21:17 3rd April 2009
Gavin Mackie (Rangers fan) says...
A lifetime ban seems a bit harsh. Fair enough they were a bit childish in their actions on the bench, but as usual the press have blown this way out of proportion. Why did the press wait until just before the Iceland game to release the story. There were also five other players involved in the early morning drinking session, why did Burley not demote these players to the bench as well? Burley isn't the right man to be leading Scotland. He didn't pick Boyd because he wasn't playing first team football but he will pick Hutton who has been out for 4 months and Gordon who can't even get a game for Sunderland. Double standards. Althought Fergie is getting on, he can still offer something to the national team and rangers and mcgregor is as good a keeper as gordon. Scotland are struggling for decent players so it seems the sfa are just shooting themselves in the foot with their actions.
Posted 21:12 3rd April 2009
Jake Macdonald (Dundee United fan) says...
What a ridiculous decision. Lifetime ban? They say the punishment should fit the crime, this does not. Unless there is something we are not being told (which I think is entirely possible), this is a thoroughly stupid decision, and it is no wonder the Scottish national side is in a continual state of non-achievement if this is indicative of the type of decisions made by the SFA. To say that this is in the best interests of the fans is adding insult to injury.
Posted 21:11 3rd April 2009
Andy Scott (Rangers fan) says...
At last, Walter Smith has done some good at Ibrox! Although Barry and Alan have shot themselves in the foot, what did they expect? Ok, some people might say that it happened while on internatational duty and does not effect their club. But this should give Barry every chance to show why he has been slated in the press recently! Come back with a bang and show Rangers that he still has something to offer! (that is if he gets another chance! and quite frankly Im not sure i want to see him back in a Rangers jersey!
Posted 20:23 3rd April 2009
Steven Nicol (Motherwell fan) says...
As much as i agree the two should be punished, i feel a lifetime ban, particularly for McGregor is a bit harsh and Burley has surely got to take some blame here as there is no way he should have allowed them to go have a drink. If these two should get punished then i think Mr Burley should get a ticking over as well.
Posted 20:09 3rd April 2009
Karlos Hamilton (Manchester United fan) says...
I think that it was somewhat a harsh decision. I am not totally aware of the full details of the incident, but I think that we all make mistakes and we have to give the guys a chance. A qualification ban is fine, but a lifetime ban is really harsh. We must all consider ourselves in their positions.
Posted 20:08 3rd April 2009
Brian Muir (Kilmarnock fan) says...
Like everbody sad to see Ferguson and Mcgregor behave like a couple of schoolboys sitting at the back of the class making signs behind the teachers back, but do think rangers are trying to offload players as they are strapped for cash. Also believe any ban must include a time limit as i think its illegal not to
Posted 20:04 3rd April 2009
Evelyn Mullen (Motherwell fan) says...
As a huge Scottish football fan in general, I am 100% behind this decision. They are a complete embarrassment to the country. Who do they think they are!? They don't derserve the honour of playing for Scotland again. There are plenty of other players who dream of playing for their national side and will show the attitude & commitment needed!
Posted 20:00 3rd April 2009
Gareth S (Aberdeen fan) says...
The behaviour of these two 'proffesionals' was disgraceful, and an embarrassment to Scotland. Barry Ferguson is vastly overrated, having gone from potentially world class to little above average. Darren Fletcher and Scott Brown are a class above. Allan McGregor never has been and never will be as good as Craig Gordonl. However, I would have thought a year long ban would have sufficed, that would have shown everybody that this behaviour will not be tolerated, and allow them the chance to apologise and suffer for a year while not being excessively harsh on the players
Posted 19:52 3rd April 2009
Andrew Neary (Falkirk fan) says...
The decision announced today is absolutely correct otherwise George Burleys's position would have been untenable.
Posted 19:45 3rd April 2009
Graham C (Rangers fan) says...
I think the SFA are correct banning both players as they have disrespected Scotland and Rangers. Ferguson has struggled for form all season and not grabbed the headlines on the park so had to do it off the Park. I also feel that Ferguson has had a big influence on the way Mcgregor has been acting. I just hope that Scotland still qualify and get the money they deserve for the players.
Posted 19:22 3rd April 2009
Mit Zllim (West Bromwich Albion fan) says...
I play saturday football and would never dream of drinking before a game, why should these Scotland "stars" be any different? Why a lifetime ban though? bit harsh, Rio missed a drug test and got 18 months. SFA might find this decision will turn full circle if they have some injuries.
Posted 19:21 3rd April 2009