Inverness Caledonian Thistle claim striker was subjected to racial abuse at match against Raith Rovers
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Inverness Caledonian Thistle claim striker Nikolay Todorov was subjected to racial abuse in a match against Raith Rovers last month.
The statement comes after the Bulgarian was issued with a notice of complaint from the Scottish FA regarding alleged excessive misconduct on Tuesday, March 16.
The club released a statement claiming Todorov was the victim of extreme provocation, racist abuse and violence in the 1–0 victory at Stark's Park.
On the club's website, it said: “Today Inverness Caledonian Thistle player Nikolay Todorov was issued a notice of complaint by the SFA.
"This relates to an allegation that disciplinary rule 202 was breached i.e. “No player shall commit excessive misconduct at a match.”
"It is alleged that the breach took place at a Scottish Championship match on March 16, when Inverness Caledonian Thistle played Raith Rovers.
"We will robustly defend our player from this allegation.
"Nikolay’s conduct on March 16 was entirely exemplary despite the extreme provocation, racist abuse and violence he was subjected to.
"We are unable at this stage to comment further."
The principal hearing date for the notice of complaint will take place on Thursday, April 29.
The club also released a statement from Todorov's solicitor Aamer Anwar.
“Nikolay Todorov vehemently denies that he is guilty of any misconduct," he said.
"He sees the allegations as spurious and believes the facts will speak for themselves at a full hearing in due course.
"However, it is important to state what is already in the public domain, during the course of the match Nikolay was subjected to violent tackles on two occasions, whilst his team captain was grabbed by the throat, which resulted in a Raith Rovers player being issued two red cards on the second occasion and sent off.
"During the first incident it is alleged that Nikolay was subjected to racial abuse which left him shaken and upset.
"The alleged abuse was witnessed by others.
"Nikolay chose to follow SFA procedures and immediately reported the matter to the match referee and accordingly a tribunal hearing into these allegations is to take place on April 15.
"The present allegations are viewed as cynical, in that it has taken nearly one month for them to appear after an original complaint was made by Nikolay. "
Anwar's statement continued: "In conclusion it surely is time, that the Scottish Football Association which is publicly committed to eradicating racism, updated its disciplinary regulations to specify the individual offence of racism.
"Should a player or club be sanctioned by the SFA for racism, then this should be a matter of public record, yet this does not appear to have happened to date. “
