Amoruso investigated over spitting incident

Rangers' Italian defender Lorenzo Amoruso faces a two match ban if he is found guilty of spitting on a rival player by a Scottish Football Association (SFA) disciplinary panel next month.

The SFA said Thursday that Amoruso had a case to answer after studying a video of the incident when he was caught on camera spitting at Ayr United striker James Grady in a Scottish Cup match last weekend.

Amoruso has said in his defence that it was purely accidental and that he has never spat at anyone on purpose in his life.

"It was a complete accident," he insisted this week.

"I was clearing my throat when the player Grady happened to be running past. I did not mean to spit at him."

Grady though claimed it had been a deliberate act.

And SFA spokesman Andy Mitchell said Thursday: "The review panel has agreed that there is a case to answer - that he appeared to spit on James Grady. "The player will now be required to appear before the SFA's disciplinary committee at its next meeting at Hampden Park on Tuesday, March 18.

"Before then, the player will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations in writing."