The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Celtic defender banned for breach of protocol
Celtic’s Boli Bolingoli has been handed a suspension of at least three games but the ‘Aberdeen Eight’ have avoided any immediate punishment for their breaches of coronavirus protocols.
The Dons players have been given three-match bans following a SFA disciplinary hearing. But the suspensions will only be invoked if they break the same regulations they were charged with before the end of February.
Bolingoli has been hit with a fivematch ban, two games of which are suspended until the end of February.
The Belgian left-back flew to Spain and back without telling Celtic then failed to quarantine himself for 14 days as required, before playing against Kilmarnock five days later. The champions had their next two games postponed.
Bolingoli has not featured since and is unlikely to be involved in the weeks following his ban after manager Neil Lennon revealed he and the defender’s team-mates were “livid” over his actions.
Bolingoli and eight Aberdeen players – Jonny Hayes, Scott Mckenna, Sam Cosgrove, Craig Bryson, Bruce Anderson, Dylan Mcgeouch, Matty Kennedy and Michael Devlin – were accused of two offences: one of failing to comply with SFA regulations and another of bringing the game into disrepute.
Aberdeen had three games postponed after the players were instructed to self-isolate after two tested positive for Covid-19 following a night out at a bar. They were fined and reprimanded by their club.
The Dons have won three consecutive games since getting players back from self-isolation and visit Hibernian tomorrow.
Aberdeen boss Derek Mcinnes said on the club’s website: “We are satisfied with the outcome of the SFA disciplinary hearing.
“As I said previously, the players have had their punishment, both from the club and via public sentiment, and I am grateful we can all now move on from this matter.
“We have an important game to prepare for on Sunday and I’m pleased for my players that they can now solely focus on trying to win a game of football.”