Celtic manager Ronny Deila has hit out at the Scottish Football Association's treatment of Aleksandar Tonev.
The Bulgarian winger, who is a on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, was suspended for seven matches for allegedly racially abusing Aberdeen's Shay Logan earlier this season.
The Glasgow giants appealed the initial sanction but the decision was upheld by a SFA-appointed judicial panel as they felt Tonev 'more likely than not committed the act of misconduct alleged'.
Deila believes his player has been mistreated by the SFA stating that he has been judged according to his word versus that of another player.
"You can't judge a person on word against word, in my opinion. You will never do that in any real court," said the Hoops boss.
"There is no proof and we still believe him. We will continue to do that when we don't have any other proof.
"You call another person a racist just on a word? I can't understand this happening.
"For me, if you are going to judge someone you have to do it with real proof and not word against word. Because a Bulgarian guy, with not very good English, is going to defend himself? Not so easy."
Deila said the club continued to back Tonev to the hilt but said it would be difficult to appeal the case any further.
"We have to take the penalty but we still feel it is not right and we believe Aleksandar in full," he added.
