Dundee United: McNamara gets five-game ban

Jackie McNamara is facing SFA beaks today at Hampden. Picture: SNS

Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara has been hit with a five-match touchline ban ahead of his team’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers.

McNamara has been punished with an immediate three-game suspension by a Scottish Football Association disciplinary panel for his touchline row with St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright, who escaped with a suspended one-game ban.

The former Celtic player can still be in the dugout for Saturday’s last-four clash against Rangers at Ibrox if he appeals against the punishment.

The pair were sent to the stand during St Johnstone’s 1-0 victory at Tannadice on March 12 after arguing when McNamara complained about a refereeing decision.

McNamara was found guilty of misconduct by the “repeated use of offensive, insulting and abusive language” while Wright was found guilty of breaching the same rule by “leaving the technical area in the absence of special circumstances and by adopting a threatening and aggressive attitude towards an opposing member of team staff”.

Two-fifths of the former Scotland international’s ban is suspended until the end of next season while Wright’s ban is suspended until the end of 2014.

McNamara was unable to attend the Hampden hearing because it clashed with his team’s training session and the SFA would not delay proceedings until later in the afternoon.

A statement from United read: “The club is disappointed at this outcome, particularly as the manager was unable to attend the hearing in person, and will now consider whether to appeal.”

Saints said Wright had attended the hearing and had not denied the charge.