Aleksandar Tonev racism appeal decision on hold for two weeks after impasse over Celtic star's seven-game ban

ALEKSANDAR TONEV will have to wait another two weeks - at least - to find out if he has won his appeal against a seven-game ban for racially abusing Aberdeen's Shay Logan.

The SFA disciplinary hearing case was heard at Hampden tonight.

But no decision was reached and it has now been adjourned for a fortnight.

At an earlier hearing at Hampden on October 30, the Celtic winger was found guilty of the offence, which was alleged to have taken place during a league game at Celtic Park on September 13.

However, the Bulgarian insisted he did not make any racist remarks to the Englishman, and Celtic supported the 24 year-old - who is on a season-long loan from Aston Villa - in his appeal.

Manager Ronny Deila, skipper Scott Brown and defender Efe Ambrose have all come out and publicly supported their team-mate, uniting in claiming that Tonev is not a racist.

Deila was convinced of his innocence, and questioned how, when there was no corroborative evidence or witnesses, making it a case of one man's word against another, the initial hearing could find Tonev guilty.

The SFA rules make it clear that, in such cases, a decision is based on the "the balance of probabilities" of an offence having been committed.

Deila had previously indicated that if Tonev's ban was upheld, Celtic would be prepared to consider taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.

The adjournment means he will be free to continue playing until the hearing is reconvened.

Tonev had already served one game of the ban before his appeal was lodged, but has been available for selection since then as the remainder of his suspension was held in abeyance until tonight's hearing in front of a SFA Tribunal.

Earlier today, Deila - who revealed Tonev had told him he said "Get away from me" when he clashed with Logan - said: "I'm just hoping they make the decision on the right things.

"We have to be sure about the things that have actually been said.

"If not, then it's a very hard penalty to get when we don't know what is right or wrong.

"It could be a misunderstanding."