<
>

Celtic support Aleksandar Tonev, appeal his 7-match racism ban

The Scottish Football Association says it received an appeal on Wednesday in relation to Celtic and Bulgaria winger Aleksandar Tonev's seven-match ban for using racist language to an opponent in a Scottish league match.

The SFA says in a statement that a tribunal "will convene in due course to consider the appeal" and that "the player's suspension has been set aside pending the appeal."

Tonev was found guilty by the SFA last week of "excessive misconduct by the use of offensive, insulting and abusive language of a racist nature" by a disciplinary panel.

Aberdeen defender Shay Logan, who is black, complained to the referee during its game against Celtic on Sept. 13 that Tonev had made a racist remark to him.

Skipper Scott Brown insists the Celtic dressing room is right behind Tonev.

Tonev missed the 1-0 home Premiership win over Inverness at the weekend but travelled to Romania with the rest of the Hoops squad for the Europa League clash with Astra Giurgiu on Thursday night.

At the Hoops' pre-match press conference in Bucharest, the Scotland midfielder offered his thoughts on the issue.

He said: "We all stick by him. We know he didn't say it, so I think that's the main thing and all the lads in the dressing room believe him.

"I don't think he needs to explain himself. We all believe him, he says he didn't do it and we stand by him.

"We know Aleksandar doesn't come in and lie. He talks to everyone in that changing room so we have no problem."

Manger Ronny Deila also remains steadfast behind Tonev, although he admits it will be easier to play him against Astra than against Aberdeen at Pittodrie at the weekend.

He said: "We will talk with him. I think it is easier to play in Europe than to play in Scotland right now, because of what is happening and also because it is also against Aberdeen, so it will be tougher to play than right now.

"I don't think anyone in Romania is interested in that case.

"I understand that it is a tough situation for him and the club. We have put in the appeal and hopefully we get that right because this is a very hard penalty when it is word against word, and we believe the player."

Information from The Associated Press and Press Association was used in this report.