Raith defender gets leading QC to fight racism allegations

Raith Rovers defender Iain Davidson will be represented by Donald Findlay QC over allegations he racially abused Nikolay Todorov.

A Scottish FA disciplinary hearing will take place this afternoon after Davidson was charged with a breach of rule 202: “excessive misconduct”, following last month’s defeat to Inverness.

Davidson was shown two red cards in that match but the Highland club alleged on Tuesday that he also made discriminatory remarks towards Todorov after the Bulgarian striker was also hit with an “excessive misconduct” charge from the same game.

Davidson was sent off by referee Colin Steven during the March 16 clash for an elbow on Todorov, before being shown a second red after grabbing Caley midfielder Sean Welsh by the throat.

In a statement on Tuesday, Todorov’s lawyer Aamer Anwar said: “Nikolay Todorov vehemently denies that he is guilty of any misconduct.

“During the course of the match Nikolay was subjected to violent tackles on two occasions, while his team captain was grabbed by the throat, which resulted in a Raith Rovers player being issued two red cards. 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.”