Lennon’s ‘ridiculous’ touchline ban in Europe reduced to four games
NEIL LENNON has had his UEFA ban reduced to a four-match touchline suspension following an appeal.
European football’s governing body had initially meted out a five-game penalty after charging the Hibernian head coach with “acts of violence against the referee” during July’s 1-0 Europa League second qualifying round, first leg 1-0 defeat to Brondby.
The former Celtic manager was sent to the stand by Spanish official Juan Martinez Munuera after remonstrating over the decision to wrongly disallow a Jason Cummings goal for offside.
Lennon watched on from the stands in the return leg in Denmark as Hibs were knocked out of the competition on penalties at the penultimate qualifying stage.
Lennon was then left outraged when UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body handed out an additional five-match dugout ban after examining the referee’s report. Following an appeal, however, that punishment has now been reduced.
Speaking after he was handed the initial suspension, Lennon said: “I could not believe it was a five-game ban. It is just ridiculous and a piece of nonsense really.
“The wording of the charge is ridiculous. The game-and-a-half that I served should be punishment enough. Any additional games, I was thinking one at the most, but five; to say it is excessive is an understatement.”
Confirming that Lennon’s ban had been reduced, a UEFA spokesperson said: “The appeal lodged by the Hibernian head coach Neil Lennon has been partially accepted.
“Consequently, the decision of 21 July 2016 has been amended as follows: To suspend the Hibernian FC official Neil Lennon for four UEFA competition matches in which he would otherwise participate.”