Tuesday 16 December 2014 15:28, UK
Celtic's Aleksandar Tonev has lost his appeal against a seven-match ban for using racist language.
The Bulgarian winger, on-loan from Aston Villa, was appealing against the suspension after being accused of using a racist term against Aberdeen defender Shay Logan during a match at Celtic Park on September 13.
Tonev was handed the ban after Logan claimed he used an expletive after telling him: "Don't you touch me you..."
Celtic appealed the suspension but SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan has upheld the original decision after written statements from Logan, Tonev, Aberdeen captain Mark Reynolds and match referee Bobby Madden were taken into account.
Mr Logan’s account was, on the balance of probabilities, more probable than that of Mr Tonev.
McGlennan ruled the original decision, that Mr Tonev breached rule 202 of the Judicial Panel Protocol, should stand. In this case, it was alleged he committed excessive misconduct in that he used 'offensive, insulting, and abusive language of a racist nature'
In his submission, McGlennan said 'the question for the tribunal was a simple one, namely did Mr Tonev use the alleged words‘ adding that the case was to be treated as every other case and there was no requirement for corroboration.
And he submitted that Mr Logan’s account was, on the balance of probabilities, more probable than that of Mr Tonev. He submitted that there were two competing versions of events but that the circumstantial evidence supported Mr Logan's version as being true and reliable.
The compliance officer's decision brought an immediate response from Celtic who intend to speak to the Scottish Football Association.
We do not consider that any player should be found guilty of such a grave offence on the basis of the evidence presented in this case.
In a statement on their website, the club said: "Celtic Football Club is extremely disappointed by the outcome of the Scottish FA’s Appeal Tribunal.
"We do not consider that any player should be found guilty of such a grave offence on the basis of the evidence presented in this case. Celtic Football Club will be approaching the Scottish FA to seek to address this issue.
"We would like to make it clear that at no stage was it ever suggested that Shay Logan had made any false allegations. However, Aleksandar Tonev’s position consistently has been that he did not say the words that were alleged to have been said and that he is not a racist.
"Celtic Football Club has enjoyed an excellent relationship with Aberdeen Football Club and this, of course, will continue.
"As we have said many times before, racism has no place in football and as a club which has been open to all ever since its formation in 1888, Celtic abhors racism of any kind. Clearly, Aleksandar continues to have our full support."
