SFA reviewing claims director called Rangers fans the 'great unwashed'
Gary Hughes is accused of making the comments in 2006
The Scottish Football Association board is reviewing claims that director Gary Hughes previously referred to Rangers fans as the "great unwashed''.
Rangers chairman Dave King called for Hughes to be suspended by the SFA after a photograph of a 2006 article from The Publican appeared in a newspaper.
Hughes, who was then chief executive of the trade magazine's publisher, was credited as writing in a piece on Glasgow pubs: "The next best thing to being at Celtic Park (only the great unwashed venture South to Ibrox) is watching the game, pint of Tennents in hand, with some like-minded souls.''
In a statement given to the Daily Record, King said: "I can confirm receipt of information, that would appear to be credible, and which merits immediate and thorough independent investigation.
"Mr Hughes should be suspended pending this investigation. I also believe steps must be taken to ascertain whether any other SFA individuals were aware of what Mr Hughes said about Rangers supporters before he was appointed a non-executive director of the governing body in 2015.
"It is important to discover if there has been a breach of the SFA duties and responsibilities to all clubs.''
The SFA has made no comment but it is understood the board is reviewing the matter.
Hughes was appointed as an independent non-executive director of the SFA in April 2015. His three-year term is due to end this summer but he would be eligible to be nominated for re-election for another term at the SFA's annual general meeting.
He also holds similar roles with retail and healthcare firms along with the Scottish Event Campus, previously called the SECC