Ciftci Could Face SFA Action

Pic: Jeff Holmes

Dundee United striker Nacer Ciftci could face Scottish Football Association action after being accused of biting Dundee midfielder Jim McAlister.

McAlister can be heard claiming Ciftci bit him on a video posted on the Scottish Professional Football League's official YouTube channel.

The incident occurred towards the end of United's 3-0 Scottish Premiership win over their neighbours at Tannadice on Sunday.

It is understood Ciftci could face an exceptional misconduct charge from SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan, but a notice of complaint could take some time to materialise.

McGlennan will firstly need to collate any evidence and view submissions from referee Bobby Madden, as well as Ciftci and his club.

McAlister tackled a grounded Ciftci before the referee's whistle blew and several players became involved in a melee. Images show Ciftci with his head up close and facing McAlister's leg.

The SPFL video - entitled "Tempers flare in tetchy Dundee derby" - shows McAlister pointing to his leg and shouting to referee Madden that he had been bitten. A pitchside microphone is less than 10 yards away.

Photographs emerged on social media purporting to show a mark on McAlister's leg amid reports the former Morton player had to go to hospital.

Neither club have made any comment.

Ciftci has received 11 bookings and one red card this season, but he has escaped punishment twice this year after being cited by McGlennan.

The Turkish-born forward successfully challenged bans for allegedly striking Inverness defender Gary Warren with his arm and for kicking Celtic skipper Scott Brown in the head. Both charges were found not proven by an SFA-appointed judicial panel.

Ciftci could face a lengthy ban if found guilty of any biting charge. Luis Suarez received a seven-game ban for his first biting offence, on PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal during his Ajax days. The Uruguay forward subsequently received a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic and a four-month suspension for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.