GILLINGHAM player-coach Iwan Roberts is to appeal against a three-match ban the FA have handed him for comments in his book, All I Want For Christmas.

Roberts was fined £2,500 for his comments in the book about an altercation with Kevin Muscat while playing for Norwich against Wolves six years ago.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally is furious that his club are being punished for something they had no control over.

He said: "If they have an issue with something Iwan has written, or any other player, then of course they can punish the player by fining him. To then punish the club that has employed him some six years on, where we lose a player and the ability to use that asset - that can't be right.

"What crime have we committed that justifies that. It stinks of almost Kangaroo behaviour."

Meanwhile, Roberts' book-signing session for All I Want For Christmas at the Megastore on Thursday has been cancelled. The striker has to go to hospital in Norwich.