Binya banned for six games

BENFICA midfielder Augustin Binya has been banned for six UEFA matches following his red card for a high challenge on Scott Brown in the Champions League clash with Celtic.

Scotland international Brown avoided injury but claimed Binya had tried to break his leg with the tackle in the 85th minute of the November 6 match at Parkhead, which Celtic won 1-0.

UEFA’s control and disciplinary body announced their verdict yesterday, having deliberated on the case on Thursday.

In a statement, UEFA said: Binya’s challenge was described as one which “seriously endangered the physical health of the opposing player”.

Benfica can appeal the decision. However if they are unsuccessful Binya will miss Benfica’s remaining Champions League Group D matches against AC Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Benfica will then have to cope without Binya for their next four matches in Champions League or UEFA Cup.

The ban will also carry over to future seasons if, as seems likely, Benfica finish bottom of Group D and bow out of Europe for this campaign.

The lunge was condemned by Scotland manager Alex McLeish as “an absolutely shocking tackle”.

After seeing replays of the incident, McLeish was hugely relieved when Brown confirmed he would be available to face Italy tonight in Scotland’s crucial final Euro 2008 qualifier.

The referee who dismissed Binya, Sweden’s Martin Hansson, also described the tackle as one of the worst he had seen.

Brown said straight after the match: “He obviously tried to do me as hard as possible.”

Cameroonian Binya, 24, apologised for the challenge on the day after the match.