Mr Brown has demanded the retraction of allegations that he sang anti-Catholic songs onto a then girlfriend's telephone answering machine.

Solicitors for Craig Brown have issued a writ

The News of the World has promised to "vigorously" defend the court action.

The Scottish Football Association is taking no action against Brown.

Solicitor Rod McKenzie, of law firm Harper Macleod, said that unless the newspaper offered a full apology and retraction, defamation proceedings would be launched seeking "substantial" damages.

"The writ is seeking damages for £500,000 for defamation in relation to the allegations that Craig Brown is a religious bigot," he said.

'More revelations'

Stuart Kuttner, managing editor of the News of the World, said the paper stood by its report.

"The News of the World is planning a further report about Craig Brown this Sunday containing revealing fresh information about his activities," added Mr Kuttner.

SFA President Jack McGinn and Mr Brown held a 40-minute meeting in Glasgow on Tuesday after which a statement was read out.

Jack McGinn: Supports Craig Brown

Mr McGinn said: "I have had a full and frank discussion with Craig and it was useful to hear, on a confidential basis, his side of the story.

"Following our talk, and based on his remarks, I consulted with the office bearers.

SFA: Backing Brown

"I can only reiterate my earlier comment that there is absolutely nothing to make us think that Craig has ever, in any way, acted in the bigoted manner of which he is accused - and I think that any reasonable person would come to the same conclusion."

Brown, 59, told BBC Radio Scotland: "I find it preposterous that I could be accused of religious bigotry because there is not an ounce of bigotry in me.

"But I wish to totally and completely refute any suggestion of bigotry and I would defy anyone with whom I've worked in football for 40 years or anyone who knows me, to make that accusation.

Craig Brown: "Not an ounce of bigotry in me"

"I would say to you that there is not an ounce of bigotry in me and that's emphatic and I think that could easily be proved and I will be happily extending my attempt to prove that.

Asked if he was concerned about his reputation, Mr Brown said: "Anything that's detrimental concerns you a little but I worry more about the truth and I know the truth therefore I don't have that inner worry, I can assure you."

Rangers boss Donald Findlay resigned amid similar claims

The claims come amid an SFA initiative to stamp out sectarianism in football and follow the resignation of Rangers vice-chairman Donald Findlay in May.

He quit the club after a newspaper published photographs of him apparently standing on a stage and singing what the paper described as "anti-Celtic anthems" following Rangers' Scottish Cup win over Celtic.

The rivalry between Celtic and Rangers has polarised Glasgow football supporters along religious lines for decades, with Catholics traditionally supporting Celtic while Protestants follow Rangers.