SFA reduce Lennon ban

Celtic boss Neil Lennon , seen here in 2006, has had his six-match touchline ban reduced to four after a meeting of the Scottish FA's Appeals Board night.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has had his six-match touchline ban reduced to four after a meeting of the Scottish FA's Appeals Board on Thursday night.

Lennon was sent to the stand by referee Craig Thomson at Tynecastle back in November after a bust-up with fourth official Steven McLean, and on top of the automatic two-match ban he was further punished in January by the SFA for "excessive misconduct".

However, after the appeal at Hampden, Lennon had his ban reduced by two matches.

An SFA statement read: "The Appeals Board has tonight (Thursday) found that the Scottish FA's charge of excessive misconduct against the Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, was inevitable.

"However, they set aside the original sanction of a two-match automatic suspension plus a further four matches for excessive misconduct and have imposed a new sanction of an automatic two-match suspension and an additional two matches.

"The new sanction will be imposed with immediate effect."

However, the former Celtic skipper could be hit with another ban before he completes the current one which is set to start in Saturday's home game against Hamilton in the Bank Premier League.

Lennon and Rangers assistant boss Ally McCoist are in trouble after having to be separated at the end of an ill-tempered Scottish Cup fifth-round replay on Wednesday which Celtic won at home with a Mark Wilson goal.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan condemned "the inflammatory and irresponsible behaviour" witnessed during and after the match and confirmed an investigation had been launched into all incidents, including the three red cards picked up by the visitors.

Ibrox duo Steven Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra were sent off during the match, both for two yellow cards, and after the final whistle team-mate El-Hadji Diouf also picked up a red card for a second booking after approaching referee Calum Murray.

The angry scenes during and after the game have been discussed in the Scottish Parliament and both clubs have agreed to meet officials from the Scottish Government and police to discuss the fall-out from the derby fixtures.