Ally McCoist to appeal against two match touchline ban
The angry exchange between the management duo has sparked a week of controversy with the behaviour of both men being criticised from all quarters.
Last night the SFA announced that both men will serve bans, which will rule them out of next Sunday’s Co-Operative Cup Final between the two clubs at Hampden.
Shortly before the ban was announced McCoist decided to speak out in Eindhoven following radio claims by Paul McBride QC that his client, Lennon, had been challenged to a fight in ‘a school playground manner’.
The former Question of Sport captain denied that allegation claiming that he was only acting to defend his players.
McCoist said: “Last week when I left the Celtic management room after a bottle of beer with Neil I felt that was it finished.
“In the last 48 hours or so there’s been comment and I feel I have to put my side of events over.
“We as a coaching staff and indeed some of the officials – not just on Wednesday, but on previous occasions – had heard some of our players being subjected to verbal abuse and we felt it was wrong.
“I make absolutely no apology at all for the fact that, whether it’s Kyle Lafferty or (El-Hadji) Diouf or (Steven) Naismith or any of the boys I would defend those players in a case like that.
“For that, I make no apology. As Neil and I were shaking hands at the end of the game I mentioned this to him.
“I think Neil and myself would certainly want to move on. Mistakes were made but we can learn from them. From my point of view I just want to move on now.
“I’m not being critical of anybody, I just wanted to make that statement.”
Shortly after commenting on the issue the SFA announced that the Rangers No. 2 had been given a two match ban for his part with Lennon handed a four match ban for his second offence.
Like McCoist both men have the right to appeal against the decision, Madjid Bougherra and El Hadji-Diouf have been ordered to appear before the SFA Disciplinary Committee on April 12 to explain themselves.
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