The SFA will threaten to deduct points from Rangers in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League this season if the club's fans do not stop singing the now-infamous Famine Song which is regularly besmirching the appearance of Rangers at Ibrox and other SPL grounds.

George Peat, the SFA president, confirmed last night that the song was causing embarrassment for Scottish football and that it “had to be stamped out”. Peat went on to say: “If the situation doesn't improve then all we could do is threaten to deduct points.” The Famine Song has caused growing anxiety and discomfort for Rangers. Despite a series of pleas from just about everyone at Ibrox, including Martin Bain, the Rangers chief executive, a section of the club's support has refused to stop singing the song, which derides those of Irish extraction in Scotland and is deemed by many to be racist and offensive.

In a statement issued to Rangers fans last month, Bain urged his club's supporters to “refrain” from singing the song, though the plea fell on deaf ears. The Celtic chairman, John Reid, also recently entered the row, describing the song as “vile, vicious and racist”. Reid, a former British Home Secretary, has urged Strathclyde Police to take action against the perpetrators.

Following the furore two years ago over The Billy Boys, an anti-Catholic dirge which brought Rangers a fine and severe censure from Uefa, European football's governing body, The Famine Song is now causing the Ibrox club renewed anxiety. On Saturday at New Douglas Park the travelling Rangers support singled out James McCarthy, the Ireland Under-19 international who plays for Hamilton Academical, for abuse.

Peat, asked specifically yesterday about The Famine Song, said that the SFA was looking into the problem and would probably have to consult with the police if Rangers failed to find a solution. Two years ago, following the Uefa investigation of Rangers, an embarrassed SFA was forced to alter its own constitution to provide it with new powers to punish clubs which were found guilty of sectarian or racist abuses. “I would hope the situation will improve but if doesn't then the next step will be to arrange a meeting between ourselves, the SPL and the police,” Peat said of the latest Rangers problem. “If things still don't improve then, as I say, all we could do is threaten to deduct points.

“At the moment we've left it in the hands of the SPL to look into it and try to eradicate it. We know that clubs have tried hard with this type of thing. But, listening to it again at the weekend, it would appear that there's still some way to go.

“Obviously, it's got to be stamped out, and we'll be having a meeting soon with the SPL and the police to see what we can do about it.”

Rangers can hardly be faulted for trying to find a solution. Martin Bain has twice issued a statement on The Famine Song, in which he pleaded with his club's supporters to stop singing it. Rangers believe that, under current Scottish legislation, their fans could be arrested by police over the chanting. “It is the club's view that the interest of our supporters and the club will be best served by supporters refraining from singing The Famine Song,” Bain said recently. “The club is duty-bound to inform supporters they may be subject to arrest, and it is in no one's interest for that to happen.”

Last month the SPL said that it was also looking into the controversy, even though it now looks as if the SFA will have to wade in.

“We introduced rules on unacceptable conduct last season, in line with the laws of the land,” an SPL spokesman said yesterday. “These have helped [bring about] improvement in behaviour at matches and we will continue to work with clubs to this end. Rangers have contacted Strathclyde Police about The Famine Song and we will be in touch with both parties to consider what, if any, action is needed.”