Pars win Sutton apology

Chris Sutton (right) was shown two red cards after the game

Celtic's Chris Sutton has responded to demands from Dunfermline Athletic by personally apologising for accusing the Pars of "lying down" to Rangers.

Dunfermline had called a media conference earlier on Friday to express their disappointment that Sutton's only retraction had come in the press through his agent.

And Pars chairman John Yorkston claimed the remarks, made after Rangers pipped their rivals to the Scottish title, were an example of "a culture of conspiracy theories" at Celtic Park whenever events turned against the Glasgow club.

But Sutton, who on Friday learned that the two red cards he picked up after Sunday's defeat of Kilmarnock had earned him a four-game ban, has now issued a personal statement on his club's website.

"I had made it clear on Monday the circumstances in which my comments were made and that I regretted any offence which these comments may have caused," said the English striker.

Half our team were in Seville to cheer on Celtic Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston

"I would like to reiterate that I apologise sincerely to Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, the players, management team and supporters for any offence which my comments may have caused.

"As everyone will know, these comments were made in the immediate aftermath of us losing the title and at the end of an extremely disappointing week.

"I have great respect for the Dunfermline players as fellow professionals and I hope that they will accept this apology in the manner in which it is offered."

Yorkston had not discounted court action if a suitable apology was not issued.

The frustrated Dunfermline chairman had said: "We have waited for five days and no apology has been forthcoming.

"There was a statement from his agent saying he regretted any upset caused, but he did not retract the suggestion that Dunfermline had been lying down.

"I thought we would have heard from Chris or Celtic as, if any Dunfermline had made such accusations against another club, I would have been on the phone immediately to apologise.

"There seems to be a culture of conspiracy theories at Celtic that everything that goes against them is because people are ganging up on them.

"Half our team were in Seville to cheer on Celtic in the Uefa Cup final and the boy who conceded the penalty against Rangers is a Celtic fan who I doubt gave it away deliberately."

Dunfermline's 6-1 defeat on Sunday allowed Rangers to snatch the title from the reigning champions on goal difference after Celtic's 4-0 win at Rugby Park proved to be not enough.

Sutton was booked during the game and was afterwards shown a red card for abusive language aimed at a linesman, followed by another red card for a similar offence against the referee.

He was automatically banned for two matches at the start of the season and two more were added after the cards took him through the disciplinary points barrier.

The Scottish Football Association could still add further to Sutton's suspension as it has yet to rule on whether his comments brought the game into disrepute.