Rangers defender Lorenzo Amoruso is on course for an appearance before the Scottish Football Association disciplinary panel after his alleged spitting incident with Ayr United striker James Grady.

The Honest Men forward claimed the former Light Blues captain had spat at him during the Scottish Cup fourth round clash at Somerset Park on Saturday.

The SFA review panel will consider the video evidence this week before deciding whether Amoruso should be called to answer any case.

The Italian has denied Grady's claim and accused the former Dundee man of racism during the game.

But Amoruso will face a two-game ban if he is found to be guilty of the charge by the SFA.

Television evidence appeared to show the incident clearly, and the matter has been passed on to a review panel who will decide whether there is a case to answer for the Italian later this week.

SFA head of disciplinary matters Drew Herbertson said: "The matter is to be referred to the review panel.

"That will happen during the week to see if there is a case to answer in terms of the player's alleged misconduct.

"It is still very early in the process at the moment, and the best we can say for a decision is during the course of the week.

"The player would be called before the disciplinary committee on March 18 if there is a case to be answered to."

But Amoruso was adamant that he was the 'injured' party in the 1-0 win over Ayr.

The 31-year-old claimed Grady called him an "Italian b******" during the game and denounced the allegations of spitting as an accident.

Amoruso said: "I have never spat at a player on purpose in my life. It was a complete accident.

"I was clearing my throat when the player Grady happened to be running past. I did not mean to spit at him."

But while Grady admits to name-calling, he denies the suggestion of racism.

"I didn't call Amoruso an Italian b******, no way," he said.

"I admit I called him a b****** - but that was only after he spat at me.

"He's now come out with this racist accusation - and, as far as I'm concerned, it's complete nonsense.

"I'm not looking to get involved in any tit-for-tat slagging match with Amoruso.

"He's trying to cover his own back, and I'm quite happy for him to get on with it.

"He knows what happened, and so do I. The truth is I wound him up during the game, and he lost the plot."