SIX-GAME BAN FOR EX-WELL MANAGER

FORMER Motherwell manager Mark McGhee has been handed a six-match touchline ban.

The Scotland assistant manager was the subject of a Scottish Football Association disciplinary hearing following his dismissal in a 7-2 defeat by former club Aberdeen at Pittodrie last month.

McGhee, who was sacked less than t wo weeks later, has been given a five-match ban, while a suspended one-match ban from earlier in the season was also triggered.

The 59-year-old had been handed a misconduct charge which alleged he used “offensive, abusing and/or insulting language and gestures” and “adopted aggressive behaviour” towards a match official.

McGhee would have to serve the ban if he joins another club’s coaching staff. However, it will not affect him on Scotland duty.

The t hen Motherwell boss was sent to the stand by referee Alan Muir on the basis of fourth official John McKendrick’s advice. He claimed to be the victim of an injustice and accused McKendrick of having an “agenda” against him, but the Brighton-based manager is not believed to have attended the hearing.

After the game on February 15, McGhee declared himself “absolutely disgusted and horrified by the attitude of the fourth official” and added: “Before a ball was kicked, he was causing issues that didn’t exist.”