Hamilton boss Brian Rice has been handed a 10 game ban, with five suspended after his admission about gambling rule breaches.
The Accies manager was in front of the SFA disciplinary panel today after his brave admission about his gambling addiction.
Rice faces charges stretching back more than five seasons and his touchline ban starts in Sunday’s home clash against Celtic.
Hamilton chief executive Colin McGowan called for an amnesty to help players and coaches confront their addictions in the wake of Rice’s revelation.
It's understood Rice self-reported his breaches to the SFA, having previously admitted to struggling with gambling addiction, and five games of his punishment will be suspended.
Accies are preparing to face the champions on Sunday with assistant Guillaume Beuzelin to take charge.
Rice will then miss the games against St Mirren, Rangers, Aberdeen and Hearts.
When the news broke of Rice's charges, he said: “Firstly, I would like to express my regret to the players, coaching staff and my friends and colleagues at Hamilton Academical for the lapse that has prompted me to voluntarily acknowledge breaches of the Scottish Football Association’s gambling rules.
“This decision was one of the hardest I have had to take but in a way also the easiest. I have made no secret of the fact that I have struggled with the disease that is gambling addiction in the past.
“The reality is I am an addict and while I have been proud of the fact I have been in recovery from this disease, a key part of the recovery programme is honesty: honesty to myself, and honesty to those who have and who continue to support me, including my family and my football family at Hamilton.
“I wrote a letter to the Scottish FA self-reporting my gambling and did so as an admission that my disease has returned, in order that I commit to recovery. I have apologised to those at the club in whom I have sought counsel and I apologise today to the players, fans and colleagues I have let down through my gambling addiction.
“I accept that a breach of the rules will come with punishment and I accept that. The reason I am speaking out is to remove the stigma attached to this horrible, isolating disease, in the hope that those involved in Scottish football who are similarly in its grasp feel they can seek help and draw strength from my admission.
