Celtic striker Albian Ajeti has insisted that he isn’t a “diver” after winning his Scottish FA disciplinary case, and says he enjoys the physical side of the game.
Ajeti was at the centre of controversy after being awarded a penalty against Kilmarnock in early February.
He went down under a challenge from Killie goalkeeper Colin Doyle and Odsonne Edouard scored the spot kick. However, the Scottish FA’s disciplinary department reviewed the challenge and charged Ajeti with simulation.
Celtic and the striker fought the charge and an independent tribunal ruled that Ajeti hadn’t dived.
The Swiss international said he was taken aback to be cited but that he was obviously happy to be cleared.
He said: “I was a bit surprised.
“I didn’t know about the process and how it works here.
“”Now I know but I’m happy that I could play and I didn’t get a ban.
“I’m happy that they took the right decision.”
Ajeti was unhappy at being labelled as “a diver” but said: “There are many things footballers need to hear that aren’t true.
“This is part of our profession, we have to accept it.
“They can call us whatever they want but we know what’s going on on the pitch.
“If they want to call me that they should call me that, but it isn’t true.
“But, as I said, this is part of football and we have to accept it and keep our focus on the right things.
“People who know my football know I like the contact of the game. I’m quite an aggressive player and I don’t think I’m a diver.
“I like the contact and my football is harder than just diving for a little contact.”
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