Scottish FA to investigate claims of homophobic slur

The Scottish FA’s compliance officer is investigating claims of a homophobic slur made by Ross County midfielder Michael Gardyne.

The controversial claim came during Rangers’ 4-0 win in Dingwall on Sunday.

Following a foul by Ian Vigurs on Alfredo Morelos, Gardyne was booked for dissent by referee John Beaton. Rangers defender Connor Goldson believes the midfielder used a homophobic slur.

County manager Stuart Kettlewell said after the game that the club would launch its own investigation into the incident and not the governing body is beginning its own inquiry.

At full time, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard said: “I only heard what my players were saying what they heard. That wasn’t good, that’s what I can say. This is a situation for Ross County, Stuart Kettlewell and the officials to deal with.

“But what my players are saying they heard, it shouldn’t be heard on a football pitch. That’s all I’m going to say on it.

“I’m not getting involved in (what was said), it’s not my business. But I’ll be interested to see how it’s dealt with by the opposition.

“I wanted to know if the referee heard what my players heard. He said he never, so from there I just moved on and went to do my half-time team talk and focused on the game.

“But what was apparently said doesn’t belong on a football pitch.

“Look, there’s no place for it. There’s a campaign for this kind of stuff to get it eradicated out of the game. We want to be at the forefront of backing these campaigns.

“But this wasn’t one of my players, so it’s not really for me to deal with, it’s for Ross County and the officials to deal with moving forward.

“But we will continue to back every campaign if it makes the game better.”