FORMER Scotland star Leigh Griffiths is facing criminal allegations of conspiracy and being concerned in a fraudulent scheme.
Griffiths was due to appear on petition at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday May 21 but was unusually allowed to be absent when the case against him called.
The former Celtic and Hibernian striker, whose address was only given as Glasgow, is facing two charges on indictment of conspiracy and concerned in a fraudulent scheme.
The 35-year-old footballer’s lawyer made no plea on his behalf and the case against him was committed for further examination.
Sheriff John Cook granted Griffiths bail at the conclusion of the private petition hearing.
He is now expected to stand trial alongside three other professional footballers – Marc McNulty, 33, Paul McGowan, 38, and Keaghan Jacobs, 36 – who all faced the same charges when they appeared on petition on March 5 this year.
McNulty, from Edinburgh, McGowan, from Airdrie, Jacobs, from Edinburgh, all made no plea and the case was committed for further examination.
Fifth accused Conan McDiarmid, from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, also appeared in the dock to face the same allegations in March.
Griffiths won 22 international caps for Scotland and played for a series of clubs including Celtic, Hibernian, Dundee, Livingston and Wolves in a glittering 20 year career.
He is currently plying his trade with NPL Western Australia side Stirling Macedonia after moving down under to play for State League 1 outfit Mandurah City four years ago.
McNulty has made two appearances for Scotland and is currently playing with Scottish League Two outfit Spartans FC.
His former clubs include Livingston, Hibernian, Dundee Utd, Coventry City and Reading.
McGowan started his career with Celtic before moving on to play for clubs including Greenock Morton, St Mirren and Dundee.
Jacobs is a South African national who had two spells with Livingston between 2007 and 2015 and again between 2017 and 2022.
The midfielder played a total of 252 games for the West Lothian club scoring 23 goals and has also played for Falkirk, Arbroath and South African outfit Bidvest Wits.
McDiarmid played as a defender with a number of amateur clubs including Edinburgh United and Whitehill Welfare before he retired in 2020 and moved into management.
