SMITH IN DARK OVER SFA BAN; IN THE DARK.

Byline: Colin Duncan

WALTER SMITH last night revealed he is unlikely to appeal his four-match touchline ban - but couldn't say for sure because he'd had no official notification of his punishment.

The Rangers boss was sent to the stand by referee Steve Conroy during last week's SPL game at Kilmarnock and has been charged with "adopting a threatening and aggressive attitude".

Smith says he only learned of the SFA's action via the media and was still waiting for their written ruling.The SFA insist a letter informing Smith of his ban was posted to him on Wednesday,adding that it was standard practice to publish a list of suspensions on their website every Thursday.

But Smith said: "I haven't heard anything about it yet so I don't know effectively that I am banned. I've had no indication from the SFA that's the case. ItakeitIhavetheright to appeal but we haven't heard anything yet in an official sense,although the media seem to know that it'shappened."

Smith has until September 30 to contest the decision. Asked if he plans to exercise that right, he said: "I have to see what's written first before we can judge what we'regoingtodo.

"I don't hold myself up as an innocent party. But it depends what's in the report as to whether we can appeal. Somebody might have the wrong end ofthestick.

"I can't remember what the procedure was the last time I was in this position but, so far, the media certainly seem to know aboutitbeforeIdo.

"I take it that's not the normalway of going about things so there must be a problemsomewhere.

"I was out of order and I admitted that but youhave to wait and find out exactly what annoyed the authorities. On an overall basis, I'm not going to appeal."

Smith was sent to the standfor reactingfuriously to Kilmarnock players he mistakenly thought were trying to get Pedro Mendes shown a second yellowcard.

He admitted he was in the wrong immediately after the game but was not surprised his apology was apparently not taken into account by the SFA when handing out his punishment.

He said: "I don't think that will have anything to do with it. I was only trying to clarify to the referee that the little bit of anger that was on show was not directedathim."

Smith's ban begins with the visit ofCeltic nextweek andheadded:"Idowatcha lotofgamesinthestandbut it doesmakeit a littlemore awkward in terms of communication towards the dugout and decisions thathavetobemade.

"But we will try to overcomethat with theuse ofmoderntechnology."

CAPTION(S):

FURIOUS: Smith vents his anger at Killie game