Celtic captain Neil Lennon was given a three-match ban by the Scottish Football Association on this day in 2005 for barging into referee Stuart Dougal on the finish of his aspect’s 3-1 defeat to Rangers.
Lennon had been proven a crimson card for arguing with the match officers after the ultimate whistle following Celtic’s loss at Ibrox in August, earlier than he pushed apart the assistant referee after which barged into Dougal.
A Scottish FA disciplinary committee selected the size of Lennon’s ban after a three-hour listening to, which the Northern Ireland midfielder attended with Celtic boss Gordon Strachan.
Lennon obtained an automated one-game ban for his preliminary crimson card and one other two-game suspension was added “for misconduct of a significantly serious nature”.
Celtic stated in a press release after the listening to: “We are satisfied with the process, today’s outcome and pleased that common sense has prevailed.”
Strachan had stated after the incident that Celtic “wouldn’t be stupid enough to make a fool of ourselves by trying to defend things that are indefensible”, whereas Lennon publicly apologised for his behaviour.
Scottish Professional Footballers’ Association assistant secretary Fraser Wishart stated Lennon’s earlier good behaviour had labored in his favour.
Wishart stated: “Neil needs to place this incident behind him and one of many stressing details is that he has by no means been despatched off in an SPL fixture or been excessive of the edge for yellow playing cards.
“His previous record has been taken into consideration.”
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