Ciftci at centre of biting claim

25 May 2015 12:17

Nadir Ciftci could face a Scottish Football Association inquiry after Dundee midfielder Jim McAlister appeared to accuse the Dundee United striker of biting him.

McAlister can be heard claiming Ciftci bit him on a video posted on the Scottish Professional Football League's official YouTube channel.

The incident occurred towards the end of United's 3-0 Scottish Premiership win over their neighbours at Tannadice on Sunday.

McAlister tackled a grounded Ciftci before the referee's whistle blew and several players became involved in a melee. Images show Ciftci with his head up close and facing McAlister's leg.

The SPFL video - entitled "Tempers flare in tetchy Dundee derby" - shows McAlister pointing to his leg and shouting to referee Bobby Madden that he had been bitten. A pitchside microphone is less than 10 yards away.

Ciftci has received 11 bookings and one red card this season, but he has escaped punishment twice this year after being cited by SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan.

The Turkish-born forward successfully challenged bans for allegedly striking Inverness defender Gary Warren with his arm and for kicking Celtic skipper Scott Brown in the head. Both charges were found not proven by an SFA-appointed judicial panel.

McGlennan is certain to be alerted to the latest incident and will be duty-bound to investigate.

Neither club have made any comment and no-one at the SFA was available for comment.

Ciftci could face a lengthy ban if found guilty of any biting charge. Luis Suarez received a seven-game ban for his first biting offence, on PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal during his Ajax says. The Uruguay forward subsequently received a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic and a four-month suspension for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Source: PA