Ralf Schumacher believes FIA should not pursue the 'lie-gate' scandal any further as it can only do the sport harm.

With McLaren set to come before an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, the team could face further sanctions having been found to have deliberately misled race stewards after the Australian GP.

McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan was sacked by the team in the wake of the incident, but the futures of team boss Martin Whitmarsh and ace driver Lewis Hamilton still remain in doubt.

Schumacher insists no further action should be taken against the team to preserve the image of the sport and return focus to matters on the track.

"You could say that this is inexcusable, but I say it should be excused," the 34-year-old was quoted as saying in the German media.

"I have to ask myself why the FIA draws this thing out even further. It is unfortunate that at the moment such an exciting season is overshadowed by such things," he added.