December 17 – Celtic’s Bulgarian on-loan winger Aleksandar Tonev has lost his appeal against a seven-match ban for racially abusing an opponent.
A Scottish Football Association appeal tribunal has upheld October’s original verdict against the Bulgarian’s conduct towards Aberdeen defender Shay Logan.
Celtic’s manager Ronny Deila had earlier indicated the club would challenge the decision further if it was upheld. And that now seems likely to happen.
The Scottish champions argued that the tribunal had failed to give Tonev a fair hearing, that it was entitled to reach its decision based on the facts and that the period of suspension imposed was excessive.
The club said they were “extremely disappointed” by the outcome and vowed to continue the fight to clear Tonev’s name. “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,” the club said.
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