An allegation of racist abuse against Aberdeen defender Jack Milne was found not proven after a Scottish FA inquiry into an incident involving Livingston striker Jeremy Bokila. The case stemmed from Aberdeen’s 6-2 win at Pittodrie on 24 January, when both players were sent off after 70 minutes.

Livingston lodged a complaint with the SFA’s compliance officer, who opened an investigation after the match. Livingston manager David Martindale said afterward that Bokila, 37, was in tears in the changing room following a comment made to him on the pitch.

Aberdeen said Milne had “consistently and vehemently denied” the allegation throughout the process and that the club had continued to support him during what it described as a “very difficult and distressing period for all involved.” The club also said it condemns racism and discrimination “unequivocally” and now considers the matter closed.

The inquiry closes a disciplinary process that had hung over both clubs since Livingston’s complaint, but it leaves the wider issue unchanged: allegations of abuse on the pitch can move quickly into formal action, while proving them can still be a high bar. Aberdeen will say no more, and the finding of not proven means the case ends without the accusation being upheld.