Aleksandar Tonev, the Celtic winger, claimed he had been through "a very difficult time" as he again denied being guilty of racist behaviour.
Tonev failed yesterday in his attempt to have a seven-game SFA ban overturned after appealing against being found guilty of calling Aberdeen's Shay Logan a "black c***" at Parkhead in September.
Tonev had denied that and Celtic were angry that he was convicted on the balance of probabilities, with Logan the only witness who heard the words. But the SFA published details of his disciplinary tribunal and appeal hearing in which Tonev was found to be an unreliable witness. Celtic said the club continued to support the Bulgarian, who is on loan at Parkhead from Aston Villa.
"A lot has happened in the last few months," he said in a statement issued by the club. "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 that 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 had indicated before the appeal hearing's verdict was announced that it was likely to take the case further, perhaps to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, if the ruling went against Tonev, but that is now thought to be unlikely.
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