Celtic manager Martin O’Neill will appeal against the two-match ban given to him following his sending-off during his club’s UEFA Cup win over Celta Vigo last week.
O’Neill was incensed at a number of decisions made by French referee Claude Columbo during the game and ordered from the dugout by the official.
The Irishman hasuntil midnight on Sunday to lodge an appeal and Celtic have confirmed that they will contest the UEFA committee’s verdict.
O’Neill has a history of touchline dispites with various football authorities. Last season, he was banned by UEFA for standing outside his technical area in a Champions League game against Juventus.
In that instance, he acknowledged he was in the wrong. This time, however, he believes he has been treated unfairly, as does Celtic’s chief executive Ian McLeod.
“We believe that the punishment does not fit the supposedcrime, and that the decision of UEFA’s disciplinary committee against Martin O’Neill is both draconian and unreasonable”, said McLeod.
“We will definitely be appealing.”
If the appeal is rejected, O’Neill will be prevented fromentering the technical area or his team’s dressing room during Celtic’s next two European games.
