Short of personally handing in Legia Warsaw’s appeal to CAS and picking up the legal tab it’s hard to imagine what more BBC Scotland could do to oust Celtic from the Champions League.
After outlining yesterday how the Polish club could fast-track an appeal ahead of Celtic’s trip to Maribor the state broadcaster were back on the case first thing this morning.
All through the case the BBC have shown a shocking lack of perspective as they attempted to outline different scenarios that would see Legia Warsaw progress at Celtic’s expense.
This morning it was business as usual for the tax-funded broadcaster as they chased the exclusive news that Legia were to replace Celtic in the play-off round for a place in the Champions League.
Barely able to hide their disappointment the BBC website reported: “Legia Warsaw chairman Dariusz Mioduski told BBC Scotland on Friday that their prospects of success appear bleak. The fielding of a suspended player against Celtic cost Legia their place.
“The Polish outfit (and their cheer-leaders) had hoped a fast-track appeal process can be instigated to deliver a ruling before Celtic play NK Maribor in the play-off round.”
An un-named CAS spokesperson added: “Cas can either render a decision on request for provisional measures (if requested by Legia) or organise an expedited procedure (with the agreement of Uefa) with a hearing on Monday and a decision on the same day.
“The appeal shall be in writing; the other steps of the procedure can be determined by agreement between Legia and Uefa (hearing or no hearing, procedural calendar, etc).”
Finally getting round to the bad news Legia chairman Dariusz Miodusk claimed: “A few days ago we requested Uefa for a quick appeal and we also discussed the possibility of not getting the right result.
“We received indication and declaration that Uefa would support us in a fast track proceeding in front of Cas in case there was a rejection in our appeal.
“We tried to contact Uefa because we’ve prepared the application for fast tracking but after several hours we finally got an indication that Uefa will not support us.
“This effectively means that they want us to accept their decision. We are very surprised by this change of position.”
It seems that BBC Scotland are the only people prepared to pick up the phone and listen to the whinging Poles who have been cold shouldered by Celtic and UEFA.
CAS tonight announced that they will listen to an appeal from Legia although no grounds for an appeal were given.
A statement on the CAS website said: “The CAS has immediately initiated an arbitration procedure and the Respondents UEFA and Celtic FC have been invited to file written observations. A decision on request for provisional measures is likely to be issued on Monday 18 August around 18:00 (Swiss time).
Tonight the state broadcaster will be providing live radio commentary on Sevco’s Championship match at Falkirk, on Monday BBC Alba will show live coverage of the Petrofec Training Challenge Cup tie with Clyde.
