Love hit with five-game ban for racist abuse

CLYDE winger Ally Love has been hit with a fivematch ban after being found guilty of racially abusing Annan player Rabin Omar.

The 26-year-old was present at Hampden yesterday as the independent judicial panel reached their verdict following a third day of deliberations.

The suspension takes effect immediately and Love will miss t wo fixtures against Cowdenbeath as well as encounters with Stirling, Peterhead and Elgin City.

Clyde have until Monday to appeal and were last night considering their options.

Love was accused of using discriminatory language towards Omar, who was born in Holland and has Kurdistani heritage, during a League 2 fixture between the sides on January 2, prompting SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan to issue a notice of complaint for “excessive misconduct”.

The case began last Thursday at the national stadium but, after considering the report of match referee Steven Miller, video evidence and witness statements, a decision could not be reached on the day. Despite reconvening the following day, the panel once again failed to reach a verdict.

However, a conclusion to proceedings was finally reached yesterday as Love was found guilty of a breach of SFA disciplinary rule 202.

Meanwhile, on-loan Rangers midfielder Jordan Thompson will miss Livingston’s next two Championship fixtures after the appeal against his red card in last weekend’s goalless draw with Dunfermline was rejected.

Thompson was sent off by referee Greg Aitken following a reckless high challenge on Pars attacker Andy Ryan. He will now be sidelined for tomorrow’s league clash with table-topping St Mirren and then Dundee United next Friday night.