Inverness CT star allegedly racially abused in Championship clash as player's solicitor takes aim at 'cynical' SFA

Inverness' Nikolay Todorov was allegedly subjected to racist abuse in a match with Raith Rovers. Picture: SNS

A tribunal is scheduled for Thursday to look into the allegations.

However, Todorov was today hit with Notice of Complaint by the Scottish FA due to an allegation that disciplinary rule 202 had been breached in the fixture. It refers to “excessive misconduct”.

Inverness “will robustly defend our player from this allegation”.

The club said: “Nikolay’s conduct on the 16th March was entirely exemplary despite the extreme provocation, racist abuse and violence he was subjected to.”

In addition, the former Hearts star’s solicitor Aamer Anwar has released a statement on behalf of Todorov, who was “shaken and upset” by the alleged abuse.

Anwar labelled the notice of complaint against his client as “cynical” and called on the SFA to update “its disciplinary regulations to specify the individual offence of racism”.

‘Principled young man’

The statement read: “Nikolay Todorov vehemently denies that he is guilty of any misconduct. 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 the 15th April 2021.

"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.

24 year old, Nikolay Todorov’s disciplinary record speaks for itself, he came to the UK from his home country of Bulgaria when he won a football scholarship at the age of 15.

“Making Scotland his home some five years ago, Nikolay is proud of his family’s proud mixed heritage with a young child born here and a Scottish wife.

“In 2019 Nikolay Todorov received widespread plaudits for condemning his home country Bulgaria’s fans for racist chanting during their 6-0 defeat to England. The Euro 2020 qualifier was stopped twice after a group of Bulgaria fans could be heard racially abusing England’s black players, whilst TV cameras showed some fans making Nazi salutes.

“Todorov at the time tweeted his disgust at the behaviour by posting:-

‘Embarrassing what happened last night It’s 2019 and that’s still happening. I’m proud Bulgarian and couple of individuals should not ruin the image of the whole nation.’

“That is the sort of principled young man we are dealing with.

“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.”