Dundee demand SFA probe into alleged ‘bite’ on Jim McAlister during ill-tempered derby clash

Nadir Ciftci and Jim McAlister clashed in second half of Dundee derby
McAlister was protesting to referee while Ciftci was on the floor
Picture posted on Instagram is thought to be bite marks on McAlister’s leg
Dundee United beat Dundee 3-0 with Ciftci scoring two goals

Brian Marjoribanks For The Scottish Daily Mail

Published:
23:38 GMT, 25 May 2015

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Updated:
00:34 GMT, 26 May 2015

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Furious Dundee have called on the SFA to investigate Dundee United striker Nadir Ciftci’s alleged ‘bite’ on Jim McAlister during Sunday’s ill-tempered derby at Tannadice.

A picture was posted on social media site Instagram after the stormy clash purporting to be a bite mark on the Dundee midfielder’s knee alongside a claim that the mark had been left after an altercation with 23-year-old Celtic target Ciftci.

Video footage shows the two players clashing, then McAlister angrily urging referee Bobby Madden to look at his knee. But Ciftci, who scored twice in the 3-0 win for Dundee United, walks away and Madden takes no action.

Nadir Ciftci has been accused of biting opposing player Jim McAlister during the Dundee derby on Sunday

This image (right) was posted on Instagram on Sunday and it is claimed it is a picture of McAlister’s bite mark

The Dundee United striker was on the floor at the time and appeared to move towards McAlister’s knee

On Monday night, however, United pledged their strong backing for Ciftci, claiming the ‘surprised and upset’ forward had not bitten McAlister.

The Tannadice club even went as far as praising the forward’s ‘tolerance’ in the face of ‘severe physical and totally unacceptable verbal provocation’.

A Dens Park source described United’s stance as ‘embarrassing’, while Dundee chief executive John Nelms issued a terse statement, condemning the incident as he called upon the SFA to launch an investigation into Ciftci’s alleged conduct.

McAlister was incensed after the incident and no action was taken at the time by referee Bobby Madden

Under SFA rules, compliance officer Tony McGlennan has until 3pm on Tuesday to issue a fast-track notice of complaint. Should he decide to do so, Ciftci could face months on the sidelines.

Asked about the alleged incident, Nelms said: ‘We refer the matter to the league. They will be informed this morning and we will wait and see what actions they will take.

‘There is no place in football for actions like that.’

\McAlister, 29, looks to confront Cifti and was booked after the scuffle, along with Jaroslaw Fojut

But after interviewing Ciftci on Monday, United insisted the club would not condone biting and that they were happy their player had not committed the alleged offence.

A club spokesperson said: ‘Dundee United FC are fully supportive of Nadir Ciftci in relation to allegations reportedly made against him by a Dundee player in the 3-0 derby win on Sunday at Tannadice. The club interviewed Nadir today as the accusation levelled against him is very serious and Dundee United would not condone such behaviour.

‘The player is surprised and upset by the accusation and, on discussing the matter in detail, it is clear to us that the player has not been involved in any such incident. In fact, we commend Nadir for his tolerance on the field given some severe physical and totally unacceptable verbal provocation.’

The most high-profile incidents of players biting have all involved Uruguay and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez, who has been banned three times for biting during his spells at Ajax, Liverpool and against Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during last summer’s World Cup.