Tonev has moved to Italy after flopping in England and Scotland
Celtic winger Aleksandar Tonev has insisted he is not a racist as he prepares to resume a seven-match ban for abusing Aberdeen full-back Shay Logan.
The on-loan Aston Villa player was described as neither a “credible or reliable” witness by a Scottish Football Association-appointed judicial panel in a report that was made public on Tuesday after he lost his appeal against his ban for using racist language.
In a statement posted on the Celtic website, Tonev said: “A lot has happened in the last few months. It has been a very difficult time for me and everyone involved. 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 winger Aleksandar Tonev: ‘I’m not a racist’
