FALKIRK manager John Hughes insists he will not change his pitchside manner despite being hit with a six-match touchline ban.
Hughes will accept the punishment from the Scottish Football Association after being reported by referee Scott MacDonald for using abusive language following his side's 1-0 defeat to St Mirren on Saturday.
Hughes was furious with the referee for
sending off Arnau Riera 15 minutes from time with the Clydesdale Bank Premier League game evenly poised at 0-0.
The ban from the SFA is so severe because Hughes has already served suspensions from the dugout this term.
Even though he is set to watch the opening games of next season from the directors' box, Hughes refuses to alter his management style.
He said: "If you want to hide your character, never be a football manager.
"I wear my heart on my sleeve and if I feel I've been wronged I will stand up and say it.
"I always try to be as honest as I can. I've been brought up as a hard worker with good values, blue collar.
"Sometimes when you rub shoulders with the white collar guys you're not compatible, maybe that's what the problem is.
"I'm up front and say it how it is and if I upset anyone then so be it.
"If there is a punishment that comes off the back of it so be it.
"At times, as a manager of a football club, you are on the frontline and you have to conduct yourself in a manner that is acceptable but I think I do that.
"I try very hard not to tell lies and a lot of it is passion because the adrenaline is pumping."
Hughes, whose side face Hearts on Monday, has decided against appealing the SFA's ban after admitting he did confront referee MacDonald after the St Mirren game.
He added: "You have to take it on the chin, there is no problem.
"When you are sitting up there in the stands you see a lot more.
"I felt I had something to say to the referee after the game and I said it in my unique way.
"He took offence to it and reported me.
"The ban jumps up another two games, that's the rules you have to abide by.
"You have to take it on the chin and get on with it.
"I don't see it as a problem. I feel sometimes if you have something to say, you say it and that's what happened."
The full article contains 425 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
