ICT defend Todorov and claim he was subject to racist abuse

Caley Thistle say they will "robustly defend" one of their players as they claim he was racially abused.

Nikolay Todorov has been issued a Notice of Complaint by the SFA for an alleged breach of conduct during ICT's match against Raith Rovers on March 16th.

But Inverness say the striker's conduct was "entirely exemplary."

Raith's Iain Davidson was sent off for a challenge on Todorov with Davidson also being cited by the SFA.

An ICT statement said: "Today Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC player Nikolay Todorov was issued a Notice of Complaint by the SFA.

"This relates to an allegation that disciplinary rule 202 was breached i.e. 'No player shall commit excessive misconduct at a match.'

"It is alleged that the breach took place at a Scottish Championship match on the 16th March 2021, when Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC played Raith Rovers FC.

"We will robustly defend our player from this allegation.

"Nikolay’s conduct on the 16th March was entirely exemplary despite the extreme provocation, racist abuse and violence he was subjected to.

"We are unable at this stage to comment further."

Aamer Anwar, who is representing Todorov, has also released a statement.

He said: "Nikolay Todorov vehemently denies that he is guilty of any misconduct.

"He sees the allegations as spurious and believes the facts will speak for themselves at a full hearing in due course.

"However, it is important to state what is already in the public domain, during the course of the match Nikolay was subjected to violent tackles on two occasions, whilst his team Captain was grabbed by the throat, which resulted in a Raith Rovers player being issued two red cards on the second occasion and sent off.

"During the first incident it is alleged that Nikolay was subjected to racial abuse which left him shaken and upset.

"The alleged abuse was witnessed by others.

"Nikolay chose to follow SFA procedures and immediately reported the matter to the match referee and accordingly a tribunal hearing into these allegations is to take place on the 15th April 2021.

"The present allegations are viewed as cynical, in that it has taken nearly one month for them to appear after an original complaint was made by Nikolay."

Mr Anwar added: "Nikolay Todorov’s disciplinary record speaks for itself, he came to the UK from his home country of Bulgaria when he won a football scholarship at the age of 15.

"Making Scotland his home some five years ago, Nikolay is proud of his family’s proud mixed heritage with a young child born here and a Scottish wife.

"In 2019 Nikolay Todorov received widespread plaudits for condemning his home country Bulgaria’s fans for racist chanting during their 6-0 defeat to England.

"The Euro 2020 qualifier was stopped twice after a group of Bulgaria fans could be heard racially abusing England’s black players, whilst TV cameras showed some fans making Nazi salutes.

"Todorov at the time tweeted his disgust at the behaviour by posting: 'Embarrassing what happened last night It’s 2019 and that’s still happening.

'I’m proud Bulgarian and couple of individuals should not ruin the image of the whole nation'

"That is the sort of principled young man we are dealing with.

"In conclusion it surely is time, that the Scottish Football Association which is publicly committed to eradicating racism, updated its disciplinary regulations to specify the individual offence of racism.

"Should a player or club be sanctioned by the SFA for racism, then this should be a matter of public record, yet this does not appear to have happened to date."