SFA discussed life ban for Boyd

Updated 10.42 Wed Oct 15 2008

Keywords: gordon smith, george burley, kris boyd, scotland football, scotland, 2010 world cup qualifiers, world cup, football, 2010 world cup, sport

The chief executive of the Scottish FA considered banning Kris Boyd from the Scotland team for life.

The Rangers striker announced on Sunday he will not play for his country again while George Burley is in charge.

"We talked about whether that is it when a player decides not to play for his country any longer" - Gordon Smith

His comments clearly upset members of the SFA and chief executive Gordon Smith discussed the possibility of blocking future managers from picking Boyd.

Smith said: "We talked about whether that's it when a player decides not to play for his country any longer, rather than the whole thing being about whoever the coach is. We talked about your country being your country and that it shouldn't be based on who you are playing for.

"Although we are not happy with a situation like that, we do feel this is not an administrative matter. This is more of a football matter between the coach and the player. If Kris Boyd announced himself available to play for Scotland in the future, it would be the manager's decision whether to pick him.

"That includes during George Burley's reign or with subsequent managers. We could impose restrictions on a future coach over who they play, but, at this stage, we don't want to do that."

Smith also revealed he did not try to persuade Boyd to reverse his decision.

He added: "I didn't try to talk him out of it. I accepted it, as I don't think it is my position to do that. If you are a club manager and you have players who don't want to play, there's no motivation and no commitment, so it is better if those people aren't there.

"You want to turn up and have a squad of people committed. That means they are willing to be part of the set-up whether they are actually in the team or not.

"It is more detrimental to have people turning up who don't have that commitment. They are the dangerous ones.

"It is easier to deal with the ones who have made it clear they want to stay at home."