Rangers women coach’s headbutt on Celtic boss sparks former SFA ref to demand LIFETIME ban after 'thuggish behaviour'

Fuming former referee Steve Conroy has demanded Rangers Women coach Craig McPherson is handed a LIFETIME ban by the SFA after headbutting Celtic boss Fran Alonso.

Celtic Women remained second in the SWPL1 with a 99th-minute Caitlin Hayes leveller, after Brogan Hay's first half goal had appeared to be the decisive striker for Malky Thomson's defending champions as they looked to close the gap on leaders Glasgow City. However, the talking points didn't stop on full time after McPherson went for Celtic boss Alonso as he shook hands with the players at full-time.

The Rangers coach appeared to have headbutted the Hoops boss when approaching him from behind, while Alonso also claims he was called "a little rat" by McPherson as he walked off the pitch at Broadwood Stadium. Rangers boss Malky Thomson promised the club would hold an investigation into the incident, but Conroy has now demanded the SFA take a landmark decision against the assistant boss.

Speaking to BettingSites.co.uk, Conroy said: “It is appalling. He should be instantly removed from his post and banned for life. There is absolutely no mitigation for that. He gave it forethought and should pay the full price for it.

“It's embarrassing that the first SWPL game to be shown live on Sky Sports is grabbing headlines for all the wrong reasons. This is simply thuggish behaviour, and the man involved should face the full consequences. We are trying to get rid of all forms of aggression and intimidation in football from grassroots upwards. This must be dealt with in the appropriate way.”

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