FIFA President Sepp Blatter has stepped into the Sion row and blamed Christian Constantin for dragging football through the courts.
UEFA are expected to deliver their verdict tomorrow on Sion’s decision to field ineligible players against Celtic after the Swiss side were banned by FIFA from signing players.
Sion President Constantin has been running a one man campaign against UEFA and FIFA with Blatter clear on the source of the dispute.
“I do not understand the tenacity displayed by Christian Constantin in a case as simple,” Blater explained. “FIFA has tried and convicted the club over an illegal transfer. That decision was upheld by the CAS and the Federal Court. I don’t understand his persistence.
“In reality, there is no dispute between FIFA and FC Sion. We are simply applying the rules for a member of our association (FIFA, UEFA, ASF) that violates a basic principle.
“Tell me what grounds we should grant an exception to a club where millions of others follow the rules.”
Should UEFA find Sion in breach of the rules it is expected that Celtic will be awarded 3-0 wins for both ties and replace Sion in the group stage of the Europa League alongside Athletico Madrid, Udinese and Rennes.
CLICK HERE for Sunderland’s preparing Georgios Samaras bid
CLICK HEREfor Christian Constantin’s Libya taunt at UEFA
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You won’t find many/any Celtic supporter expecting to qualify from that group but IF we are allowed back in the competition it will be six great matches for the players to test themselves in and have them much better prepared for European competition next year.
I think it looks very very likely that Sion will be kicked out but I’d never want to forecast what UEFA or Fifa decide.
Sion may well be kicked out, but there’s no guarantee that Celtic will take their place in the group.
All this talk about which Pot we (Celtic) were in before the draw and the other teams already planning for games against Sion makes me think.
Strange things happen at UEFA and if they decide not to upset the other three (Continental !!)teams in the group they may well opt for a three team group, awarding each team 3-0 wins in lieu of their games against Sion being cancelled.
that group could easily be a champions league group, we need to be on TOP form to even have a chance of second place
Given both Platini’s and now Blatter’s comments on this matter, I don’t see how UEFA can do anything other than find against Sion and for Celtic.
I am confident that Celtic will be reinstated now.
lets hope we do get re-instated agree with you Joe will be great experience challenging ourselves some of the best teams in Europe so long as we give a good account of ourselves we should be okay
HAIL HAIL LETS KEEP THE FAITH AND BRING THE THUNDER BACK AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111111
Why didn’t uefa just award Celtic the 3 0 scoreline after the first game rather than wait till now.
Don’t get your hopes up just yet Celtic are just a wee diddy team in uefas eyes and can’t really remember them doing us any favours in the past
If Celtic are awarded the tie/s will the Scottish co-efficient go back up or remain where it is now? Common sense would suggest that it goes back up again.
Looks pretty certain to me Sion are going out, i hope the board use some of the cash generated on the team.
Sorry but I don’t want in this way. Even with their new signings Celtic should still have too much for a side like Sion…and over 2 legs we didn’t. For me the League is priority this season and Europe could prove too much of a distraction, especially with the manky mob out on their huge arses too. So not for me, sorry Uefa should as discussed have a 3 team group
If we get through who should we give the goals to!
Kieran – so if we don’t take the spot that WILL be vacated who will? They will have to have someone fill the 4th place in the group, both to ensure the 3 teamns in there by right get their required number of matches for ticket sales and to fulfil TV obligations.
Why NOT us? After all it was one of their illegal signings that scored 2 goals. Chalk them off and we’re in 1-1 on the away goals rule. Simples :o)