SFA defends president George Peat

The Scottish Football Association last night defended the right of its president George Peat to take part in disciplinary hearings as Celtic were reported to be ready to call for his resignation.

The long-running saga of the club's dispute with the governing body took a new twist on Thursday when manager Neil Lennon's six-game ban for touchline offences was set aside by High Court judge Lord Carloway and his independent appeals board. Lennon was instead given a four-game ban which he and the club accepted.

It was claimed yesterday that Peat's attendance at the initial disciplinary committee hearing - despite having criticised Celtic previously - was one of the main reasons why the appeal board set aside the original sentence. A SFA spokesperson said: "We are disappointed to have read alleged details of a report that has yet to be published by Lord Carloway in the media today. As a point of clarification, it should be reiterated that the Scottish FA's articles of association permit the president or chief executive to attend committee meetings in an ex officio capacity."

As well as seeking the president's resignation, Celtic may move to have the articles of association changed at the SFA's agm in May when Peat will stand down in any case.