Celtic’s Ryan Christie Banned After Being Found Guilty Of Grabbing Alfredo Morelos By The Testicles

Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie has been handed a three-match ban for grabbing Alfredo Morelos by the testicles in last month's eventful Old Firm derby.

The 24-year-old was charged with violent conduct for his actions against the Rangers forward on December 29th, when Celtic fell to a 2-1 defeat at Parkhead.

Christie, who had been booked before the incident involving Morelos, wasn't given another yellow but will miss the next three games against Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock and Ross County.

Scottish champions Celtic have since released a statement slamming the SFA's decision.

Image: PA

They have labelled the ban as "extremely disappointing" while saying the sanction "demonstrates a worrying lack of consistency."

"Celtic Football Club and Ryan Christie are extremely disappointed at the outcome of the hearing today." the statement read.

"Given the recent treatment of Celtic players and the lack of sanctions being imposed on those responsible, the fact that a sanction has been imposed on Ryan for the incident in question demonstrates a worrying lack of consistency in the Scottish FA fast track process.

"Naturally, we will be contacting the Scottish FA regarding our concerns. Scottish football deserves a disciplinary process which is fair, consistent and fit for purpose."

Image: Twitter/Sky Sports

It is now believed that Celtic will draw up a list of incidents involving Rangers to send to the SFA in response.

The club will send the "long list of incidents from recent derby games which went unpunished" to the governing body, according to a source from the Daily Record.

"It's the inconsistency in the way the disciplinary procedure is handled which people find so difficult to understand." they said.

"The club has a long list of incidents from recent derby games which went unpunished.

Image: PA

"Scott Brown was booted in the groin and Anthony Ralston had stud marks on his leg after being stamped on.

"There was also an incident between Morelos and Christie which was remarkably similar to the one for which Ryan has now been banned. But nothing happened.

"The official line from the SFA is that the referee saw all of those incidents at the time while Kevin Clancy didn't see what happened between Christie and Morelos which is why it has been dealt with retrospectively.

"But when supporters see these kind of inconsistencies it's no wonder they struggle to understand what's going on."

Many fans on social media have also reacted to the decision to hand Ryan Christie a ban, as well as pointing out the inconsistencies in previous Old Firm games.

Thoughts on the incident involving Morelos and Christie?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Football News, Celtic, Football, Rangers

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_