Motherwell say there is an “urgent need for clarification” over the decision of the Scottish FA to suspend striker Michael Higdon.

The player received a one-match ban for making an offensive gesture while celebrating a goal during his side’s 1-1 draw with Dundee United at the weekend.

Higdon received a Notice of Complaint by the SFA’s compliance officer, Vincent Lunny, earlier this week, leading to the eventual suspension.

Motherwell are unhappy at the reporting process for matters to be brought to the attention of Lunny and say they have approached the governing bodies to air their frustrations.

“We are extremely disappointed by all aspects of the process and of course the ban,” Well chief executive Leeann Dempster told the club’s official website.

“We have material concerns about the approach, the informal communication around it and the obvious disproportionate nature of the suspension.

“As a board we have raised our concerns with both the Scottish Premier League and with the Scottish FA. There is an urgent need for clarification on what is being done, why and to what end.

“The precedent set does not give us the impression that justice has been done, or seen to be done. It will mean that a huge focus will be placed upon consistency in the application of such compliance rulings across the game at all levels.

“In essence our player has been banned for celebrating a goal in a way that has, to our knowledge, never resulted in a suspension in any game anywhere else.

“We are focused as a club on improving how we are run and how we contribute to the rejuvenation of Scottish Football. We do not believe this process as executed is doing anything other than setting all of us back.

“The focus is supposed to be on football, more needs to be done to keep the administration of the game on that track.”

IN DETAIL

• Michael Higdon banned for one match