Aleksandar Tonev: 'I know what I am and I am not a racist'

By Christopher Dodd, Reporter | 17 December 2014

Celtic winger Aleksandar Tonev issues a statement after losing his appeal against a seven-match ban for racially abusing an opponent.

Celtic winger Aleksandar Tonev has issued a statement saying that he is "not a racist" and will try to move on from controversy after he was handed a seven-match ban for racially abusing an opponent.

Tonev was found guilty following an incident with Shay Logan at Celtic Park, with the player recently losing an appeal against the ban handed out by the Scottish Football Association.

"A lot has happened in the last few months. It has been a very difficult time for me and everyone involved," said Tonev in a statement published on the club's official website.

"All I can do is move on from this now. I have made my case all along that I never used the words I was accused of using. I say again that I did not do this, I know what I am and I am not a racist.

"I want everyone to understand that, most of all the Celtic fans, who have been a great support to me since coming to the club.

"I know what happened and I know that I will definitely recover from this as a stronger person."

Celtic currently find themselves in top position in the Scottish Premiership, with a six-point lead over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.