Bolingoli is banned but Dons escape

Celtic defender Boli Bolingoli has been handed a suspension of at least three games but the “Aberdeen Eight” have avoided any i mmediate punishment for their breaches of coronavirus protocols.

The Dons players have been given three - match bans following a Scottish FA disciplinar y hearing. But the suspensions will only be i nvoked i f t hey break the same regulations they were charged with before the end of February.

Bolingoli has been hit with a f i ve - match ban, t wo games of which are suspended until the end of February.

The B e l g i an l e f t - back f l ew t o Spain and back without telling Celtic then failed to quarantine himself for 14 days as required, before playing against Kilmarnock five days later. The Scottish champions had their next two games postponed.

Bolingoli has not featured since and is unlikely to be involved in the weeks following his three- game ban after manager Neil Lennon revealed he and the defende r ’s t e a m- ma t e s we r e “livid” over his actions.

B o l i n g o l i a n d e i g h t Aberdeen players – Jonny Hayes, S cott Mckenna, Sam Cosgrove, Craig Brys o n , B r u c e A n d e r s o n , Dylan Mcgeouch, Matty Ke n n e dy a n d Mi c h a e l

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 eight 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.

“We are satisfied with the outcome of the disciplinary hearing,” said Dons boss Derek Mcinnes last night. “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 the matter.”