SFA Fail In Simonsen Ban Bid

Pic: Jeff Holmes

The Scottish Football Association has failed in its bid to have the punishment handed to Rangers goalkeeper Steve Simonsen for breaching betting laws increased. The 35-year-old served a one-game ban after he admitted breaking the SFA's zero-tolerance gambling rules by betting on a total of 50 games in a year. But SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan challenged that decision, claiming his punishment was "unduly lenient". However, Simonsen's legal team from the ProLegal group have confirmed the Englishman will not face a further suspension after the SFA's appeal was rejected by an appellate tribunal. They tweeted: "SFA Appeal against Steve Simonsen suspension fails." Simonsen had not bet on any games relating to his club's competitions and was given a one-match ban with another suspended when an SFA-convened judicial panel convened on February 12. He missed the club's February 13 clash with Hibernian but has not played since after dropping down Gers' goalkeeping pecking order. Previous judicial panels have issued more severe punishments for betting offences, but they have involved players betting on games in which they were involved. In September 2013, Simonsen's Ibrox team-mate Ian Black was handed a 10-game ban - seven of which were suspended - and a £7,500 fine after admitted to placing 160 football bets over a seven-year period. Three of the matches involved bets placed against the former Hearts and Inverness midfielder's own team, which included a gamble that Rangers would draw against East Stirlingshire. Black scored the third goal in his side's 4-2 win, a result that scuppered his own accumulator. Five months later, Ayr United frontman Michael Moffat was given a four-game ban - with another two suspended - after he was found guilty of placing seven bets on six matches involving his own team. Moffat, who avoided a fine, was also found guilty of placing an additional 150 bets on other games. The ProLegal Group is affiliated with the PFA Scotland and Fraser Wishart, the players' union's chief executive, said: "The process has been a burden on Steve, both personally and professionally, and we are all glad it is now over and he can concentrate on his football career."