ANGRY Blackburn boss Graeme Souness has accused football bosses of ruining the game after he was hit with a three-match ban and a £15,000 fine following a ruling by the FA.

Souness was given the punishment after he was banished to the stands during Rovers' home draw with Liverpool at Ewood on August 28.

He will now be absent from the touchline for the forthcoming Premiership clashes against Everton and Southampton, as well as the Worthington Cup clash with Walsall.

But, while he has decided not to appeal against the decision, the furious Ewood chief has blamed the authorities for trying to take all the passion out of the Premiership.

"I'm disappointed but I'm a big boy and will take the medicine this time," said Souness.

"I accept that as managers we have a responsibility but at the same time I would ask them to look at situations like this.

"The Premier League is a fantastic product. People all over the world watch it and a big part of it is the passion and emotion.

"Although I understand you have to operate by the rules, they can't take all that out of the game, otherwise they won't have a product they can sell all over the world."

Souness was initially dismissed during a heated finale to the 2-2 draw after protesting about a foul by Emile Heskey on Nissa Johansson.

But he has always maintained he never used any foul and abusive language towards the officials at any time.

"I wasn't happy with a challenge Emile Heskey made. I felt he led with his elbow," added the Rovers boss.

"I got onto the touchline and told the referee what I thought.

"He came over and sent me off immediately. There was no conversation.

"I'm disappointed. I feel I have been harshly treated.

"I'll take it on the chin this time but if this happens again and I feel the way I feel now, I will be challenging it because I'm not happy."

It's not the first time Souness has found himself in hot water with the authorities during his managerial career.

Last season, he was hit by a similar ban after making comments about the officials following Lucas Neill's sending off in Rovers' FA Cup defeat at Middlesbrough.

Ironically, that red-card was later rescinded after the referee studied video evidence but Souness's punishment still stood.

After the Heskey incident, Souness also criticised referee Steve Bennett during the post-match Press conference, commenting: "The referee sent me off, but that's about all he got right on the night as far as I'm concerned."

Although Souness has been hit by the three game ban, he will at least be free to take his seat in the dug-out for both of Rovers' UEFA Cup games against Celtic.