A football supporter accused of racially abusing Jason Scotland, the St Johnstone striker, has been banned from all football grounds in the United Kingdom.

Six days after Scotland was subjected to racist chants during last week's Scottish Cup tie between St Johnstone and Motherwell at Fir Park, it is understood he may have been abused by a 59-year-old man during a match against Dundee at Dens Park on February 10.

The unnamed man, a season ticket holder of Dundee FC, was yesterday banned by the club, after pleading not guilty to a charge of aggravated breach of the peace at Dundee Sheriff Court.

He has been ordered to appear again at a later date, and a condition of bail is that he does not attempt to enter any football ground in the UK.

Dundee operations mana-ger, Jim Thomson, said: "We will reconsider the suspension if the man is found not guilty."

The club's board of directors issued a joint statement following the hearing, which read: "Following a complaint made to the club and Tayside Police by Dundee fans regarding alleged racial abuse of St Johnstone player Jason Scotland during February's game at Dens Park, a full investigation, carried out by police and the club, has resulted in a 59-year-old Dundee man being arrested and charged with an aggravated breach of the peace.

"The club were unable to make any comment or take any action until a full internal inquiry had been conducted."

Scotland became a cult hero in the country where he has played for the last four years after he was selected to play for Trinidad and Tobago during last year's World Cup.

Dundee yesterday issued an apology to Scotland, and his club, saying they will "not tolerate racist, sectarian, sexual or bigoted harassment".