Lennon protests after his 'spitting' card ban

Thomas Jordon

NEIL LENNON will today ask Celtic to appeal the yellow card he received during Sunday's spitting row with Rudi Skacel.

The Parkhead skipper was incensed by the actions of the Hearts striker at Tynecastle.

He was booked for his reaction, and will now miss the unfurling of the SPL flag next season after breaching the disciplinary points threshold.

Lennon, in an exclusive interview in yesterday's Evening Times, branded the Czech the "lowest of the low", but there was a denial from Hearts and the player.

A Hearts spokesperson said: "Rudi strenuously denies any of the reported allegations made by Neil Lennon. The player is deeply offended and is furious at the associated implication of these remarks."

Skacel, who was accused of spitting at Dundee United's Stuart Duff earlier this season, later claimed he had been trying to spit blood from his mouth after a clash with Lennon.

But photographs published today appear to confirm Lennon's claim that Skacel had spat at him, and his agent Martin Reilly will contact Celtic today in the hope that a letter can be sent to SFA chiefs at Hampden Park registering their disquiet.

SFA rules state appeals can only be heard on red cards for violent conduct or mistaken identity, which means the 34-year-old will now miss the start of next term.

Lennon, who is close to agreeing a one-year contract extension this week, says he is pleased that there is now proof backing his claims that he was spat at - despite both Hearts and Skacel denying the incident had taken place.

He said: "I'm glad there is now evidence. I can't believe the TV pictures didn't pick up the incident, but at least people now know the truth.

"I knew what happened, but it was my word against his. I said yesterday he was a liar if he denied spitting at me and so it has been proven."

Agent Martin Reilly said: "Can you imagine the reaction if the shoe was on the other foot and it was Neil who spat at Skacel.

"The usual critics would be trying to chase him out of the country, yet he was the one booked.

"Given what happened, I think he showed a lot of restraint and it's unfair he will now miss the first game of next season.

"Surely it is time for the rules to be looked at, as the booking shouldn't stand.

"Skacel is a disgrace, but at least he has been caught.

"Neil has to take a lot on and off the field, however, you don't expect to be spat at.

"The picture confirms exactly what Neil said yesterday. He was walking away from the incident and a spit flew over his shoulder.

"Now, if Skacel had blood coming from his mouth, as he claims, why didn't he just spit down on the ground? I think everyone knows that isn't the case, but we'll make some calls over the next day or two and see what can be done about it."

Taken from Evening Times