Celtic's furious response to SFA attack on Neil Lennon
The hoops boss was given for the punishment for his first offence by the SFA’s Disciplinary Committee earlier today.
A six match ban is unheard of for a first offence and has triggered an instant appeal and strongly worded statement from Celtic.
The club said: “Celtic and Neil Lennon confirmed today that they will be appealing today’s decision by the SFA Disciplinary Committee to impose a six-match touchline ban.
“The matter is in the hands of the club’s lawyers. We are very surprised and extremely disappointed at today’s decision – we believe the punishment imposed was excessive in the circumstances and to our knowledge unprecedented for a first offence.
“We have maintained for some time that a range of SFA processes and structures needed to be reviewed and updated. This view was supported recently by Henry McLeish in his review of the SFA.
“Today’s events only underline and reinforce our opinion. Without question Celtic will be supporting its manager Neil Lennon in his appeal .
“As well as challenging the severity of the punishment imposed, our appeal will also focus on issues of procedural fairness and the manner in which such hearings are conducted.”
The Celtic statement goes way beyond the incident between Lennon and the officials at the Hearts-Celtic game.
By raising the issues of procedural fairness and the manner in which appeals are conducted Celtic are voicing the same concerns raised by the McLeish Report which criticised the lack of openess and accountability of the SFA committee structure.
Referee Craig Thomson had his attention drawn by the fourth official Steven McLean after Thomson had denied Celtic a clear penalty when Ryan Stevenson handled the ball in the penalty box.
The Celtic boss was handed a two match ban today with a further four games added for excessive misconduct reported by the fourth official.
Celtic, with legal advise, are certain to grill McLean’s interpretation of events and ask for evidence of Lennon’s ‘excessive misconduct’.
If the appeal comes down to Lennon’s word against McLean’s the SFA will have a tough task justifying the six match ban.
The SFA statement said: “Following a meeting of the Scottish FA’s Disciplinary Committee at Hampden Park today, the Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, was found guilty of excessive misconduct.
“Mr Lennon will serve his automatic two-match ban for being dismissed during the Clydesdale Bank Premier League match against Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle in November 10, 2010, plus an additional four matches for excessive misconduct.”
Lennon’s six match ban will begin with the SPL clash against Aberdeen on January 22.
In a further twist to the issue Thomson and Lennon will come face to face again on Saturday with Thomson in charge of the Hibs-Celtic match at Easter Road.
Artur Boruc: Inside my Celtic career
Follow Video Celts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube