Celtic Striker Leigh Griffiths Given Suspended Ban and Fined Over Offensive Song
Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has been handed a suspended two-match ban and fined ÂŁ2,500 after admitting singing an offensive song about former Hearts player Rudi Skacel.
The ex-Hibernian forward was last week admonished by a sheriff despite also confessing to the incident in court, but he has now been punished by the Scottish Football Association.
Griffiths was filmed singing ''Rudi Skacel is a *** refugee'' in a pub full of his fellow Hibs fans.
The Hoops frontman admitted an SFA charge which alleged he had breached disciplinary Rule 86 by "not acting in the best interests of Association Football by singing in public a song of an offensive and insulting nature''.
He has been given 30 days to pay his fine and has been warned the two-game penalty will be triggered if he steps out of line again before the end of the current season.
Griffiths apologised ''unreservedly'' after walking away from Edinburgh Sheriff Court without punishment earlier this week.
The incident happened in April last year, before Griffiths attended a Hearts v Hibs derby game at Tynecastle.
In a statement issued by Celtic following his appearance in the dock, Griffiths, who was also fined four weeks' wages by his club for his involvement in the incident, said: ''I made a mistake, I wrongly became involved in this incident and did not fully consider my actions.
"I apologise unreservedly for this.
''I am pleased that the judge felt no further action was required, however this is a matter which I have absolutely learned from.''