McGarvey: Sion decision puts right an old justice

UEFA have made up for an injustice perpetrated on Celtic 27 years ago by reinstating the club in the Europa League, according to Hoops legend Frank McGarvey.

Celtic’s complaint relating to the play-off matches against Sion was upheld yesterday by UEFA’s control and disciplinary body, and subject to an appeal, Neil Lennon’s men will take the Swiss side’s place in a group which includes Atletico Madrid, Udinese and Rennes.

Sion were charged by UEFA with fielding ineligible players in both games against Celtic, who said in a statement that they were “pleased by this decision”.

McGarvey, though, believes the governing body have at last made up for the “disgraceful” treatment of Celtic in 1984 when they were embroiled in an infamous European Cup Winners Cup clash with Rapid Vienna.

The second leg at Celtic Park, which the Hoops won 3-0 following a 3-1 first-leg defeat, was ruled null and void after the Austrians claimed Rudi Weinhofer had been hit by a bottle thrown from the terracing. A third game was ordered to be played at a neutral venue and Rapid won 1-0 at Old Trafford in Manchester.

“At last Celtic have had a bit of justice from UEFA, although it has taken 27 years,” former striker McGarvey told Press Association Sport.

“I am delighted. Sion have broken the rules of football and they have got to be punished.

“What UEFA did to us in 1984 was disgraceful. Rapid Vienna were cheats and got away with it.

“Their player did not get touched and although we beat them fair and square, we had to play another game and got knocked out.

“I wish I had had the strength of character to have said I didn’t want to play against Rapid Vienna at Old Trafford but in any case the club should have withdrawn.

“But we didn’t and got beat and they reached the final to be beaten by Everton.

“Maybe that is an omen for Celtic, who knows? Denmark are another team who were brought back into a tournament in 1992 and ended up winning the European Championships.

“But regardless, it is great for Celtic and a boost for Scottish football.”

Sion signed five players with the club still under a transfer ban imposed by FIFA after breaching rules over the signing of Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary three years ago, although a Swiss court had ruled in their favour. One of those players, Pascal Feindouno, scored two goals in the 3-1 second-leg win over Celtic in Switzerland.

Sion have two rights of appeal, the second with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) who maintain they are the final voice.

The club’s president Christian Constantin has promised to take the case to a civil court.

“Play continues on Monday,” he told Radio Television Suisse.

“We will use a civil court to be tried by true justice. There I hope we will have more luck.”