Former Dundee United star Nadir Ciftci has received a six-game ban after being found guilty of biting Jim McAlister on the leg in the final Dundee derby of last season.
The Turkish striker, who signed for Celtic in a £1.5 million four-year deal two weeks ago, was charged following the May 24 game at Tannadice by SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan.
Now, following a hearing today at Hampden, Ciftci has been handed the lengthy ban by the SFA with a further two games suspended for his bite on McAlister, who is no longer with the Dark Blues and has been training with St Johnstone.
The SFA issued a statement saying: “A Disciplinary Tribunal convened today in accordance with the Judicial Panel Protocol to consider the following case: Alleged party in breach: Nadir Ciftci (Celtic FC, formerly of Dundee United FC)
Match: Dundee United v Dundee (SPFL Premiership), Sunday 24th May.
Disciplinary rule allegedly breached:
Disciplinary Rule 202: In that the above match you committed an act of Excessive Misconduct by biting Jim McAlister of Dundee FC upon his leg to his injury. That this act constituted an A2 Sending-Off Offence of Violent Conduct as provided for in Section 3 of Annex C to the Judicial Panel Protocol, and was aggravated by the degree of physical violence used.
Outcome: Breach established
Sanction: Eight-match suspension to be applied as follows six match suspension applied with immediate effect, two matches suspended until the end of season 2015/16 to be applied in the event of any further breach of Rule 202.”
The ban only applies to domestic matches meaning Ciftci would be available for Celtic’s Champions League qualifier on Wednesday night.