Celtic Winger Aleksandar Tonev Banned: Latest Details, Reaction and Analysis

Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 5

Sky Sports News HQ reported the latest on Aleksandar Tonev's ban:

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The Scottish Football Association announced Thursday that it has banned Celtic winger Aleksandar Tonev for seven matches for racially abusing Aberdeen's Shay Logan, per the Scottish FA website.

STV Sport has more:

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The Bulgarian winger was found guilty of breaching of disciplinary rule 202: Excessive Misconduct by the use of offensive, insulting and abusive language of a racist nature during September's match. It means Tonev is unlikely to play for the club again with his loan deal set to expire in January.

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Celtic responded to the ruling with the following statement on their website:

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Racism has no place in football and as a Club for all people, Celtic absolutely abhors racism of any kind.

This was a very unfortunate case, but the Club has accepted Aleksandar's explanation that he did not say the words that were alleged to have been said and that he is not a racist.

We are, therefore, very disappointed by the outcome today and can confirm that Aleksandar will be appealing this decision.

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Tonev, 24, has made four Scottish Premiership appearances for Celtic this season and three Europa League appearances but has yet to register a goal or assist in either competition. The former Aston Villa man (he made 17 Premier League appearances for the club last year) and Bulgarian international hasn't exactly made the biggest impression with the club, however, and it appears now his time with Celtic is winding to a close.

Stu Forster/Getty Images

The Scottish FA response seems an appropriate one if Tonev indeed racially abused Logan. Racism continues to be one of the biggest plagues on both European club and international football, and every effort to stamp it out of the game should be taken.