Steve Simonsen's reputation is "in danger of being further damaged" by the Scottish Football Association's decision to seek further punishment for the Rangers keeper's betting offences, according to his union.
The 35-year-old served a one-game ban last month after admitting breaking the SFA's zero tolerance rules by betting on a total of 50 games in a year.
Simonsen had not bet on any games relating to his club's competitions and was given a one-match ban with another suspended when an SFA-convened judicial panel convened on February 12.
The SFA's compliance officer Tony McGlennan, however, challenged that decision last week and "an appellate tribunal will convene in due course to consider the appeal."
A statement released by PFA Scotland expressed surprise and disappointment at the move and claimed the player has "suffered enough already."
A PFA Scotland spokesperson said: "PFA Scotland is surprised and disappointed at the decision of the SFA's compliance officer to appeal the sanction against Steve Simonsen.
"We felt it would be important to clarify a number of points regarding the case as Mr Simonsen's reputation is in danger of being further damaged, along with his future employment prospects.
"Unfortunately, we are unable to explain the detail behind the charges or the judicial panel's reasoning in coming to its decision.
"Mr Simonsen requested that the SFA publish the full written reasons of the panel in the interests of transparency.
"Regrettably they have, thus far, declined to do so.
"It is important, however, to clarify Mr Simonsen is of good character and has an excellent reputation within the game of football gained from his professionalism throughout his long career.
"The Judicial Panel correctly considered all of the mitigation led on his behalf by PFA Scotland lawyer Liam O'Donnell.
"Regrettably, we are precluded by SFA rules from outlining the significant mitigation and from explaining the judicial panel's findings.
"As a consequence of the initial two game suspension (one match served-one match suspended), Mr Simonsen has lost his place in the Rangers first team, which may well have a material impact on his ability to gain a further contract with Rangers or another club.
"In our opinion, he has suffered enough already.
"We are of the opinion that given the evidence and witness statements put before it, the original judicial panel came to a fair decision and PFA Scotland will rigorously defend Mr Simonsen at the appeal hearing."
Previous judicial panels have issued more severe punishments for betting offences, but they have involved players betting on games in which they were involved.
In September 2013, Simonsen's Ibrox team-mate Ian Black was handed a 10-game ban - seven of which were suspended - and a £7,500 fine after he admitted to placing 160 football bets over a seven-year period.
Three of the matches involved bets placed against the former Hearts and Inverness midfielder's own team, which included a gamble that Rangers would draw against East Stirlingshire.
Black scored the third goal in his side's 4-2 win, a result that scuppered his own accumulator.
Five months later, Ayr United frontman Michael Moffat was given a four-game ban - with another two suspended - after he was found guilty of placing seven bets on six matches involving his own team. Moffat, who avoided a fine, was also found guilty of placing an additional 150 bets on other games.
ends
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