Neil Lennon banned for Hibs' Europa League second leg

15 July 2016 11:53

Neil Lennon has been handed a one-match touchline ban for his behaviour during Hibernian's 1-0 Europa League defeat to Brondby on Thursday.

Lennon, in charge of his first competitive game as Hibs manager, was sent to the stands during the preliminary round tie after he protested against a disallowed goal.

UEFA has opened proceedings against the Northern Irishman and he will now be suspended for the second leg against Brondby next week.

Lennon was incensed by the officials' decision to rule out what would have been a Jason Cummings equaliser for offside in the first half.

Replays showed Cummings had been harshly judged and Lennon vented his anger at the assistant referee, before being dismissed by Spanish referee Juan Martinez Munuera.

Lennon's absence for the return leg in Sweden is an added blow for Hibs, who conceded after just 17 seconds at Easter Road when Kamil Wilczek scored from close range.

"We had a perfectly legitimate goal disallowed. It was a beautiful goal," Lennon told BBC Scotland after the match.

"I've remonstrated with the linesman and the next thing I know I'm sitting in the stand. It's pathetic, absolutely pathetic."

If Hibernian come through the tie against Brondby, they must navigate through two more rounds of qualifying to reach the Europa League group stage.

Source: PA