Lennon hit with new SFA charge

26 April 2012 18:17

Celtic manager Neil Lennon was hit with fresh misconduct charges by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) on Thursday.

The latest alleged offences concerning Lennon, halfway through serving a touchline ban for comments made after Celtic's Scottish League Cup final defeat, relate to incidents after the Hoops' Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Hearts.

After the Hearts match, Lennon ran onto the Hampden Park pitch to confront referee Euan Norris over the penalty award, which came when a Marius Zaliukas shot hit the arm of Joe Ledley and then brushed against Victor Wanyama. Celtic were then denied a penalty when the ball struck Hearts defender Andy Webster.

The Hoops boss, who did not conduct any post-match interviews, tweeted soon after the game: "Referee told players he thought Wanyama handled...feel so sorry for players and fans..I think it's personal myself."

He then re-tweeted a comment from a Celtic supporter which suggested the club "pack our bags and get out of this league that is run by crooked £SFA officials".

Lennon is halfway through his touchline ban for accusing referee Willie Collum of a "criminal" decision in not awarding Celtic a late penalty in their 1-0 defeat by Kilmarnock in the Scottish League Cup final last month.

He received no additional punishment after being sent from the dugout halfway through Celtic's 3-2 Scottish Premier League defeat by Rangers last month.

Earlier this month Celtic wrapped up the SPL title, having been helped on their way by a 10-point penalty given to Rangers for entering administration.

The Glasgow rivals meet in an Old Firm derby at Celtic's Parkhead ground on Sunday.

Source: AFP