John Hughes loses touchline appeal

HIBS manager John Hughes has lost his appeal against a six-game touchline ban, but will be in the dug-out as usual tomorrow because his punishment will not begin until next week.

The ban was imposed on Hughes after he was sent to the stand following an altercation with assistant referee Gary Cheyne during the 5-1 loss to St Johnstone last month. He was angered when the assistant referee failed to flag for a foul on Paul Hanlon in the build-up to St Johnstone's fourth goal.

The severity of the punishment took into account past indiscretions as manager of Falkirk over the last two seasons.

"It's disappointing that Hibs are getting punished for something I've done two or three years ago," said Hughes. "But I'm not one to moan about it. You do wrong, you have to be man enough to take it on the chin. You can't feel sorry for yourself.

"In terms of the punishment, I just think it's unfair on Hibs to get punished for something I've been carrying for the last two or three years."

The ban was put on hold at the end of last month when Hughes lodged an appeal with the SFA. The decision to reject that appeal is expected to be formally relayed to Hibs imminently.

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