Post by Taxigirl on Mar 23, 2004 12:32:05 GMT
www.sportinglife.com/football
The stand-off between Celtic and UEFA over the suspension of goalkeeper Rob Douglas looks set to continue as the team fly out to Barcelona later on Tuesday.
The club's appeal to have the Scotland international's red card in the UEFA Cup fourth round first leg rescinded fell on deaf ears at a meeting of the European governing body's control and disciplinary body.
The former Dundee goalkeeper will now miss the second leg at the Nou Camp Stadium on Thursday, where the Hoops will be defending a solitary Alan Thompson goal.
Douglas was dismissed by referee Wolfgang Stark for his part in an incident in the players' tunnel at Parkhead as the teams left the pitch at half-time.
Barca midfielder Thiago Motta was also dismissed over the fracas after the team captains were called to the match official's dressing room.
However, UEFA insist they will not be continuing their investigation into Celtic defender Bobo Balde's role in the incident. He will miss the second leg following a caution in the first leg.
Parkhead boss Martin O'Neill had been incensed by the decision to dismiss Douglas and was confident his goalkeeper would be cleared.
But UEFA have turned down the appeal leaving Celtic forced to play teenager David Marshall in the intimidating atmosphere of the Nou Camp.
However, the Hoops insist they have not yet given up hope of having Douglas available.
A statement on the club's official website, www.celticfc.net said: "The club is currently considering its position in relation to this matter."
But the UEFA control and disciplinary body rejected the appeal after meeting yesterday.
A statement on www.uefa.com said: "Celtic goalkeeper Robert Douglas and Barcelona midfield player Thiago Motta will both miss the UEFA Cup fourth round return leg at the Camp Nou this Thursday because of suspension.
"UEFA's control and disciplinary body handed the pair one-match bans after they were sent off during Celtic's 1-0 first-leg victory on 11 March.
"Their dismissals followed an incident in the tunnel as the two teams made their way to the dressing rooms at half-time.
"Celtic had appealed against Douglas' sending-off but this was dismissed by the control and disciplinary body.
"However, UEFA will not be continuing their investigation into Celtic defender Dianbobo Balde's part in the tunnel incident."
The UEFA decision over Douglas is another blow for O'Neill after Thompson, Stanislav Varga and Chris Sutton all missed the Bank of Scotland Premier League win at Hibernian on Sunday through injury.
All three now face a race against time to be fit for the second leg although midfielder Paul Lambert looks set to recover from a dead leg suffered at Easter Road.
Barcelona are also without Javier Saviola, who was dismissed in the first leg for aiming a kick at Thompson in the first leg.
The stand-off between Celtic and UEFA over the suspension of goalkeeper Rob Douglas looks set to continue as the team fly out to Barcelona later on Tuesday.
The club's appeal to have the Scotland international's red card in the UEFA Cup fourth round first leg rescinded fell on deaf ears at a meeting of the European governing body's control and disciplinary body.
The former Dundee goalkeeper will now miss the second leg at the Nou Camp Stadium on Thursday, where the Hoops will be defending a solitary Alan Thompson goal.
Douglas was dismissed by referee Wolfgang Stark for his part in an incident in the players' tunnel at Parkhead as the teams left the pitch at half-time.
Barca midfielder Thiago Motta was also dismissed over the fracas after the team captains were called to the match official's dressing room.
However, UEFA insist they will not be continuing their investigation into Celtic defender Bobo Balde's role in the incident. He will miss the second leg following a caution in the first leg.
Parkhead boss Martin O'Neill had been incensed by the decision to dismiss Douglas and was confident his goalkeeper would be cleared.
But UEFA have turned down the appeal leaving Celtic forced to play teenager David Marshall in the intimidating atmosphere of the Nou Camp.
However, the Hoops insist they have not yet given up hope of having Douglas available.
A statement on the club's official website, www.celticfc.net said: "The club is currently considering its position in relation to this matter."
But the UEFA control and disciplinary body rejected the appeal after meeting yesterday.
A statement on www.uefa.com said: "Celtic goalkeeper Robert Douglas and Barcelona midfield player Thiago Motta will both miss the UEFA Cup fourth round return leg at the Camp Nou this Thursday because of suspension.
"UEFA's control and disciplinary body handed the pair one-match bans after they were sent off during Celtic's 1-0 first-leg victory on 11 March.
"Their dismissals followed an incident in the tunnel as the two teams made their way to the dressing rooms at half-time.
"Celtic had appealed against Douglas' sending-off but this was dismissed by the control and disciplinary body.
"However, UEFA will not be continuing their investigation into Celtic defender Dianbobo Balde's part in the tunnel incident."
The UEFA decision over Douglas is another blow for O'Neill after Thompson, Stanislav Varga and Chris Sutton all missed the Bank of Scotland Premier League win at Hibernian on Sunday through injury.
All three now face a race against time to be fit for the second leg although midfielder Paul Lambert looks set to recover from a dead leg suffered at Easter Road.
Barcelona are also without Javier Saviola, who was dismissed in the first leg for aiming a kick at Thompson in the first leg.