Lennon gets two-match ban for ref rant

Last updated : 19 April 2012 By AFP

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) confirmed they had imposed an immediate two-match ban for Lennon's comments following Celtic's 1-0 defeat by Kilmarnock at Hampden Park on March 18.

Celtic's manager was equally outspoken after his side, who went on to clinch the Scottish Premier League title, suffered a 3-2 defeat by arch Glasgow rivals Rangers the following weekend.

But as he was sent to the stands during that game, the SFA said "the tribunal imposed no further sanction on the basis that the half-game served out with the technical area was sufficient".

Former Celtic and Northern Ireland midfielder Lennon was banned for "making comments in an interview which criticised the performance of a match official in such a way as to indicate bias or incompetence".

However, Lennon accepted a misconduct charge relating to dissent and adopting an aggressive attitude towards a match official after clashing with fourth official Iain Brines at Ibrox, where he was banished to the stands at half-time.

A Celtic spokesman said Thursday: "We can confirm that we are satisfied with the fairness and spirit of the hearing today and that no appeal will be made against the findings or sanctions."

This decision means Lennon will sit in the Fir Park stand when Celtic face Motherwell on Sunday and be absent from the technical area in another Old Firm game, when Rangers visit Parkhead on April 29.

However, he could yet face three more charges relating to separate incidents.

Lennon was asked to explain comments made after the Rangers game about hoping for a decent referee performance against St Johnstone the following weekend.

But fresh charges regarding his remarks following the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Hearts at Hampden on Sunday.

Lennon marched onto the pitch at full-time to confront Euan Norris after the referee awarded Hearts a late penalty for handball but denied Celtic a similar appeal moments later.

He later tweeted "I think it's personal myself" before re-tweeting a comment from a Celtic fan that suggested the club "pack our bags and get out of this league that is run by crooked £SFA officials".

Source: AFP

Source: AFP