Lennon calls for clarity

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon believes UEFA should clear up the confusion that threatens to turn their Europa League play-off tie against Swiss side Sion into a non-event.

Their opponents arrived in Glasgow yesterday for tonight’s first-leg clash at Parkhead with five players in their squad who are, in the eyes of FIFA, ineligible to play.

Sion allegedly broke a registration embargo by the world football governing body at the weekend when Pascal Feindouno, Mario Mutsch and Gabri all lined up against Lucerne, after a Swiss court ruled in their favour.

Former Hearts defender José Goncalves and Billy Ketkeophomphone are also in Sion’s European squad approved by the Swiss FA who, along with the club, have reportedly been warned by UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino about possible sanctions although the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who will rule on the issue, will not pass their verdict until after the second leg next Thursday.

Lennon, though, would like it all sorted out before the first leg.

“From my point of view, if a team plays ineligible players, they should be punished accordingly within the rules of the governing body,” he said.

“The rules should be there to adhere to. But we are all still in the dark as to the outcome of this.

“It would be nice if there was some clarification on it before the game.

“I won’t be seeking it, but I think for all parties concerned it would be best if we had some sort of answers.’’