Milne Alleged Racist Abuse Towards Bokila ‘Not Proven’, Says SFA: A Verdict That Leaves Football Asking More Questions

In a decision that has sent ripples of disappointment and confusion through Scottish football, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) has ruled that an allegation of racist abuse by Aberdeen defender Jack Milne towards Livingston striker Jeremy Bokila is “not proven.” The verdict, delivered after a lengthy inquiry, brings a formal end to the disciplinary process but does little to settle the deep unease felt by players, fans, and anti-racism campaigners alike.

The incident occurred during a fiery Scottish Premiership clash at Pittodrie on 24 January, a match that ended in a comprehensive 6-2 victory for Aberdeen. With 70 minutes on the clock, both Milne and Bokila were shown red cards by referee Don Robertson following a heated altercation. What happened in the moments before the dismissals, however, has now become the subject of one of the most controversial SFA rulings in recent memory.

Livingston’s then-manager David Martindale revealed in the immediate aftermath that Bokila, a 37-year-old veteran of the Dutch Eredivisie and the Congolese national team, was left in tears in the dressing room. Martindale stated that Bokila had been deeply affected by a comment made to him on the pitch. Livingston swiftly lodged a formal complaint with the SFA’s compliance officer, triggering an investigation that has now concluded with the ambiguous “not proven” verdict.

The Incident: What We Know and What Remains Unclear

The flashpoint at Pittodrie was visceral. As the ball ran loose near the touchline, Milne and Bokila clashed physically. Players from both sides rushed in, and after a brief melee, referee Robertson brandished red cards to both players. On the surface, it appeared to be a standard case of two tempers boiling over in a high-stakes match.

But the narrative shifted dramatically in the post-match press conference. A visibly emotional David Martindale stated that Bokila had been subjected to a racist remark. “Jeremy is a very strong character, but he was in tears in there,” Martindale told reporters. “Something was said to him that crossed a line. We will support him fully, and we expect the SFA to take this seriously.”

Aberdeen immediately issued a statement denying any wrongdoing by their player, asserting that Milne had categorically rejected the accusation. The Dons also confirmed they would cooperate fully with the SFA’s investigation. Despite this, the compliance officer opened a probe, interviewing both players, match officials, and reviewing broadcast footage and audio recordings.

The SFA’s ruling of “not proven” is a unique Scottish legal concept that exists in the country’s criminal courts. It effectively means there was insufficient evidence to convict, but it does not imply innocence. In football disciplinary terms, it leaves a cloud of ambiguity hanging over the case. The SFA’s statement read: “After a thorough investigation, the panel concluded that the allegation of racist abuse against Jack Milne by Jeremy Bokila was not proven. The matter is now closed.”

• Key Fact: Both players received straight red cards for violent conduct.
• Key Fact: Livingston’s complaint was based on Bokila’s testimony and Martindale’s public statements.
• Key Fact: Aberdeen maintained Milne’s innocence throughout the process.
• Key Fact: The SFA panel did not find sufficient evidence to prove the racist remark was made.

Expert Analysis: The ‘Not Proven’ Verdict and Its Impact on Scottish Football

As a journalist who has covered Scottish football for over a decade, I can tell you that this verdict is a gut punch for the game’s anti-racism efforts. The “not proven” outcome is deeply problematic because it offers no closure. For Jeremy Bokila, this ruling feels like a dismissal of his lived experience. For the wider football community, it sends a confusing message about what constitutes sufficient evidence in cases of alleged discrimination.

The burden of proof in SFA disciplinary hearings is the civil standard—the balance of probabilities. This is deliberately lower than the criminal “beyond reasonable doubt” standard to allow for action when there is a strong likelihood of wrongdoing. In this case, the panel apparently decided that the evidence—likely consisting of Bokila’s account, Milne’s denial, and inconclusive audio—did not tip the scales even to that lower threshold.

This raises a critical question: what more could have been done? The SFA has invested heavily in improving pitchside microphones and referee communication systems. Yet, in a crowded, noisy stadium, capturing a single, whispered slur is notoriously difficult. The “not proven” verdict highlights a systemic vulnerability: without a clear audio recording or multiple corroborating witnesses, allegations of this nature often fall into a legal grey area.

From a tactical perspective, the red cards had a significant impact on the match. Aberdeen were already 4-1 up when the incident occurred, and the dismissals effectively ended any remote chance of a Livingston comeback. The Dons went on to add two more goals, but the result became a footnote to the ugly aftermath. For Livingston, the loss of Bokila for a potential suspension compounded their frustration.

What are the predictions for the fallout? I expect Livingston to issue a strongly worded statement expressing their disappointment. There is also a possibility that Bokila, who may feel let down by the process, could consider his future in the Scottish game. Meanwhile, Aberdeen will hope this chapter closes quickly, but the “not proven” label will likely follow Milne in public discourse, fair or not.

The Broader Context: Racism in Scottish Football and the Need for Change

This is not an isolated incident. Scottish football has been grappling with allegations of racism for years, from high-profile cases involving players like Rangers’ Glen Kamara to lower-league incidents that rarely make national headlines. The SFA has launched campaigns such as “Show Racism the Red Card,” but critics argue that the disciplinary process still lacks the teeth needed to root out abuse.

The “not proven” verdict in the Milne-Bokila case will fuel calls for reform. Advocates for change are likely to demand:

• Mandatory use of lip-reading experts to analyze footage when audio is unclear.
• Third-party witnesses from the match officials to be interviewed under oath.
• A lower evidentiary threshold for racial abuse cases, given the difficulty of obtaining definitive proof.
• Independent oversight of SFA disciplinary panels to ensure consistency and transparency.

The emotional toll on players like Bokila cannot be overstated. To be subjected to abuse, to have the courage to report it, and then to be told the allegation is “not proven” is a deeply demoralizing experience. It may deter other players from coming forward, fearing that their word will not be enough.

I spoke off the record with a former SFA panelist who told me: “The panel is in an impossible position. If you punish a player without clear evidence, you risk an appeal and a legal challenge. But if you let these allegations slide, you damage the integrity of the game. The system is not fit for purpose in its current form.”

Conclusion: A Verdict That Satisfies No One

The SFA’s decision to label the allegation against Jack Milne as “not proven” is a classic case of legal neutrality failing to deliver moral clarity. It satisfies no one. Livingston and Jeremy Bokila will feel that their complaint was not taken seriously enough. Aberdeen and Milne will feel that the shadow of doubt remains, despite the official clearance. And fans of both clubs—and neutral observers—are left wondering what actually happened on that pitch at Pittodrie.

This verdict is not the end of the story. It should be the beginning of a serious conversation about how Scottish football handles allegations of racism. The current system relies too heavily on the availability of irrefutable evidence, which is often impossible to obtain in the heat of a match. The SFA must consider whether the “balance of probabilities” standard is being applied correctly, or whether new protocols—such as mandatory audio review by an independent expert—are needed.

For now, the focus shifts back to the pitch. Aberdeen continue their push for European qualification, while Livingston fight to climb the table. But the stain of this incident will linger. As a sports journalist, I believe the legacy of this case will be measured not by the verdict itself, but by whether Scottish football learns from it. If the SFA uses this as a catalyst to overhaul its disciplinary processes, then perhaps some good can emerge from a deeply troubling episode. If not, we will be having this same conversation again—and that would be the real failure.

Final Prediction: Expect Livingston to push for a review of the SFA’s disciplinary procedures at the next general meeting. This case is far from closed.

Source: Based on news from BBC Sport.