Craig Levein ‘disappointed’ by Steven Naismith’s two-match ban

STEVEN Naismith will miss Scotland’s upcoming World Cup qualifying double header after being banned for two matches by Fifa.

Fifa’s disciplinary committee announced the charge against the Everton player today over his alleged elbow on Serbia’s Srdjan Mijailovic.

Naismith was included in Craig Levein’s squad for the double header against Wales and Belgium but the former Rangers player will now miss out.

Television pictures showed Naismith raising his arm towards Mijailovic in the goalless World Cup qualifier at Hampden on September 8.

The incident was not included in the referee or match delegate’s report but FIFA later launched an inquiry after being made aware of the off-the-ball incident.

Levein will not call up any replacement for Naismith.

The Scotland coach said: “Obviously this is disappointing news but Steven has been very honest and professional throughout the disciplinary process.

“We named a 25-man squad earlier this week to compensate for any potential suspension, which has now been confirmed, and I am confident we have enough strength in that department to offset the loss of a player who has been in excellent form so far this season.”

A Scottish Football Association statement read: “FIFA have confirmed to the Scottish FA that their Disciplinary Committee have imposed an immediate two-match suspension on Steven Naismith following an incident that took place during the last month’s FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 Qualifier against Serbia at Hampden Park.”