Glasgow, Scotland: Celtic winger Aleksandar Tonev was banned for seven games yesterday for using racist language toward an opponent during a Scottish league match.
Celtic said Tonev will appeal against the ban.
The Bulgarian international, who is on loan at Celtic from English Premier League side Aston Villa, was found guilty by the Scottish Football Association of "excessive misconduct by the use of offensive, insulting and abusive language of a racist nature" when he appeared in front of a disciplinary panel yestersday.
Aberdeen defender Shay Logan, who is black, complained to the referee during a Scottish Premiership game at Parkhead on Sept. 13 that Tonev made a racist remark toward him.
"This was a very unfortunate case," Celtic said in a statement, "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."
The 24-year-old was making his Celtic debut after joining on a one-year loan deal with Villa.
