Tonev Loses Ban Appeal

Photo by Jeff Holmes Celtic winger Aleksandar Tonev has lost his appeal against a seven-match ban for using racist language. A Scottish Football Association appeal tribunal threw out the appeal after the on-loan Aston Villa winger was earlier banned over an incident involving Aberdeen full-back Shay Logan. The SFA has published the report of both panels who examined the case. Celtic manager Ronny Deila had earlier indicated the club would challenge the decision further if it was upheld. The report of the original panel hearing stated that Logan had accused Tonev of saying: "Don't touch me you black c" when the Aberdeen defender put his arm across the Celtic player moments after fouling him. Tonev denied saying the offensive words and no-one else heard them but the panel heard that Logan quickly told his captain, Mark Reynolds, referee Bobby Madden, and manager Derek McInnes. The report described Logan as an "impressive witness". It added: "He gave his evidence in a careful and measured manner. He gave clear and unequivocal evidence that Mr Tonev had used the language complained of and that it had been targeted at him." However, the panel stated they were unable to accept the Bulgarian as "either credible or reliable" on the central issue of the case. The report continued: "His evidence on his understanding of the language said to have been used, was particularly unsatisfactory. "In chief examination his evidence was to the effect that he did not know what the word 'c' meant. "On cross examination he explained that he had heard the term in his time at Aston Villa but did not know what it meant. He then accepted that he was aware that it was a term of abuse. "The impression was of a witness giving a less than a full account of his actual understanding; and seemed to the tribunal to be an inherently improbable account." Celtic manager Ronny Deila had earlier indicated the club would challenge the decision further if it was upheld.