Martin's Touchline Ban Reduced

Last updated : 07 February 2003 By Kevin Smith
UEFA have reduced Martin O'Neill's touchline ban from two games to one game, following his sending off against Celta Vigo at Parkhead.

O'Neill will now be present on the touchline for the game against Stuttgart in Germany, but will be forced to watch the home game from the stands.

He was set-off late in the second half against Vigo, for allegedly man-handling incompetent French referee Claude Colombo. But UEFA have realised there wasn't much to the incident, and a one match ban is obviously much more appropriate than two.

Martin O'Neill is a powerful presence on the touchlines at Celtic games, and said today "We are all delighted with the decision." The fact that he travelled to Switzerland to present the case personally says alot for his innocence.

In other news, the Celtic boss has reacted furiously to nonsense press reports that he is linked with the Liverpool managers' job. He claims he is "embaraased" to be involved in the story, which is good news for the Celtic faithful.