A footballer is to appear in court next month charged with racially abusing another player following a row which went before the Scottish Parliament and Europe's governing footballing body.

Whitehill Welfare striker Wayne McIntosh, 22, has been charged with racially aggravated breach of the peace after allegedly calling Spartans defender Dan Gerrard a "black b*****d" during an East of Scotland league match on the first day of the season last August.

Both teams are full members of the Scottish Football Association. However, the SFA refused to take action in the case, saying the allegations could not be proved and Spartans officials protested to Uefa.

Independent MSP Margo MacDonald tabled a parliamentary motion condemning the SFA's inaction.

The row led the Crown Office to demand a criminal investigation.

Earlier this week, Mr McIntosh was charged and a report was sent to the procurator- fiscal.

He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Court on May 10.