SFA plan to sue over McBride comments

13 April 2011 20:30
The Scottish Football Association have announced they are planning legal action against Paul McBride QC over comments he made to BBC Scotland in which he accused them of bias towards Rangers. McBride, who has represented Celtic boss Neil Lennon in front of the SFA, spoke out in the wake of Tuesday's news that Rangers trio Ally McCoist, Madjid Bougherra and El-Hadji Diouf had all escaped bans following last month's explosive Old Firm Scottish Cup clash at Parkhead. That outcome saw McBride launch a scathing attack on the governing body. But a statement issued by the SFA on Wednesday night read: "Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan would like to make the following points: "We note that Paul McBride does not act on behalf of or as a spokesman for Celtic FC, its manager, or anyone associated with the club. In making his unjustified and inflammatory remarks, Paul McBride appears to be acting as a self-publicist and not as a QC. "Paul McBride's wild and inaccurate statements are defamatory and appear to be malicious. The Scottish FA is now considering, with the benefit of legal advice, whether to sue just Paul McBride for damages or whether to also sue other parties. "A formal complaint is being made to the Faculty of Advocates with respect to the way in which Paul McBride has allowed himself to be held out as making comments to the media in his capacity as a QC."

Source: PA