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Neil Lennon "disappointed" with SPFL charge over Bolignoli controversy

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has expressed disappointment over the club being charged for left-back Boli...
Stephen Doyle
Stephen Doyle

3:54 PM - 17 Aug 2020



Neil Lennon

Sport

Neil Lennon "disappointed" with SPFL charge over Bolignoli controversy

Stephen Doyle
Stephen Doyle

3:54 PM - 17 Aug 2020



Celtic boss Neil Lennon has expressed disappointment over the club being charged for left-back Boli Bolingoli's breaches of Covid-19 protocol.

Celtic's last two Scottish Premiership matches were postponed after the player took a trip to Spain without the club's knowledge and then failed to quarantine for 14 days on his return, as per Scottish government guidelines.

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has also begun disciplinary action against the Premiership champions.

"[I'm] disappointed for the club. Like I said last week, I think we've been at the forefront of getting the game up and running, all the procedures, all the protocols and it's down to the actions of one individual really," said Lennon.

"But, like I said last week, we'll hold our hands up. If we are accountable we'll have to accept that, take it and move on."

Aberdeen are also facing disciplinary charges after eight of the club's players broke quarantine rules while the players and Bolingoli are facing a separate Scottish FA charged which could see them banned.

Lennon said today that all of the players in his squad have been reminded of their responsibilities and he insisted today that they and the staff will continue to stick to the guidelines set out to prevent the spread of the virus.

"What we don't want is the game to shut down again or any sort of, mishaps, if you want to call it that," Lennon added.

"We've had two clubs now, Aberdeen and ourselves, embroiled in this. I think it's unfortunate from our point of view.

"From my point of view as a manager, the majority players here and the staff, we've worked really, really hard, tirelessly, and people at the club as well.

"So from our point of view we'll still try and set the highest of standards as we possibly can."

The Hoops swing back into action on Tuesday night with a one-off Champions League tie against Icelandic champions KR Reykjavik in the first qualifying round.

Celtic have home advantage and Lennon said that making it to the group stages of UEFA's elite competition is a priority for them.

"I think the players will be fully focused on that. It is important for them, important for the club," he said.

"We've only had two competitive games so I think this game is really important for a lot of reasons.

"Reykjavik played on Friday and before that they had a shutdown but, for me, the game is all about us.

"We are at home, it is one leg. The preparation has been good even though we missed out on a couple of games."



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Boli Bolingoli Celtic Neil Lennon Parkhead SPFL Scottish Premiership

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