Hendry stunned by six-match ban

Colin Hendry couldn't hide his disappointment after being banned for six international matches.

The Scotland centre-half received the punishment from Fifa today for elbowing a San Marino opponent last month.

And the Bolton player also made it clear he hoped an appeal would be launched to save his international career.

"I am stunned and disappointed and I am awaiting the full submission from Fifa," said Hendry.

"Pending an appeal I don't think it is helpful to say any more at this time."

San Marino substitute Nicola Albani was hospitalised after being caught in the throat by Hendry's elbow in the dying seconds of Scotland's 4-0 Hampden Park win on March 28.

The Scottish Football Association have sought clarification from Fifa that the ban affects competitive matches only and is considering whether to appeal.

It is expected that it will be days rather than hours before Fifa supply that information, so Hendry's international career remains in the balance.

However, it would be a major surprise if the ban did extend to friendlies, which could theoretically be arranged in quick succession to wipe out the ban.

It means therefore that unless an appeal cuts the ban down Hendry will miss the Scots' final three World Cup qualifiers plus, should they make it to the finals, the three group games.

By that time Hendry, who is one of an elite number of Scotland players to have been capped more than 50 times, would be 36.

The defender has also been fined 10,000 Swiss francs - around £4,000 - over the Albani incident which came at the end of a game in which Hendry had scored two stunning goals.