A COMPANY director has been cleared of racially abusing two restaurant bosses at a football match after Still Game actor Paul Riley told a court it "never happened".

Ian Duffy, 55, was accused of shouting at Marcello Crolla and Franco Cortellessa in a suite at Celtic Park, during a Celtic v Juventus Champions League match.

Mr Riley - who played Winston in the TV comedy - said he intervened when one of the men angrily pointed his finger in Mr Duffy's face and threatened to have him put in police cells.

Mr Duffy - managing director of a railway engineering firm - denied making any racist remarks.

After a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Duffy, from Bridgeton, was yesterday cleared of making a racist comment on February 12, last year.

Sheriff Anthony Deutsch said: "On this occasion I am not satisfied the Crown have proved this beyond a reasonable doubt, I therefore find the charge against you not proven."

In evidence Mr Riley described the businessman as "one of the nicest guys you're ever likely to meet".