Midtjylland could be in bother with UEFA over their decision to play defender Juninho against Celtic last week.
The Brazilian missed the first leg in Glasgow, made his debut against Aalborg then helped his new team to a win over Celtic when he should have been serving a suspension carried over from his final days with Bahia of Brazil.
Shortly before kick-off in Eindhoven last night Midtjylland were informed that Juninho was suspended, he failed to make the team-sheet with the Dutch side cruising to a 3-0 first leg lead against Celtic’s conquerors.
UEFA are normally quick to award 3-0 defeats against clubs that field ineligible players but that is difficult to apply with Midtjylland already benefiting from the decision.
Dutch website Voetbal International reports:
An hour before kick-off, it turned out that Juninho and Hoegh are also missing from Midtjylland’s match selection. Juninho has been banned for six more matches due to an incident during a match at his previous employer Bahia in Brazil, while Høegh has tested positive for the virus.
Det brasilianske fodboldforbund uddelte i foråret flere karantæner efter en disciplinærsag i en kamp i Brasilien, her i blandt til Juninho.
UEFA har for få timer siden meddelt, at FIFA har stadfæstet karantænedommen, hvorfor Juninho er tvunget ud af aftenens opgør.#PSVFCM
— FC Midtjylland (@fcmidtjylland) August 3, 2021
TRANSLATION
The Brazilian Football Federation handed out several quarantines in the spring after a disciplinary case in a match in Brazil, here among others to Juninho. UEFA announced a few hours ago that FIFA has confirmed the quarantine sentence, which is why Juninho has been forced out of tonight’s showdown.
In 2011 Celtic were awarded 3-0 wins over Sion for fielding ineligible players, three years later the same happened against Legia Warsaw.
Where the blame lies in the Juninho case is difficult to establish with UEFA, the Danish FA and Midtjylland all liable through the international clearance certificate.
If Midtjylland lose on aggregate to PSV Eindhoven they will drop into the Play Off round of the Europa League, that place could be offered to the losers of the Celtic v Jablonec tie.
Bet yae Andrew canny get tae sleep the night aw that excitement an anticipation waiting tae ask UEFA about midtjylland fielding an ineligible player. https://t.co/3elviyhJ7F
— Terry O’Neill (@terryoneill67) August 3, 2021
From the sneak @AndrewMaclean_ who tried to get Celtic sanctioned by UEFA. Follow Follow indeed ? pic.twitter.com/CdVx0anGsY
— Ronnie O’Connor (@__lippylipez__) August 3, 2021
Midtjylland appear to have fielded an ineligible player against Celtic. 3-0 victory awarded is only reasonable outcome. The rules are the rules, as they say! https://t.co/shQkZc2MQB
— Liam O’Hare (@Liam_O_Hare) August 3, 2021