Celtic will be without Daizen Maeda in the first leg of their Champions League play-off after the Japan star was given a two-match suspension for his red card against Young Boys.
Just minutes after an own goal from Loris Benito handed Brendan Rodgers‘ side the only goal of the game, Maeda was given his marching orders after kicking out at Young Boys player Mohamed Ali Camara, ruling him out of Wednesday night’s final league phase tie against Aston Villa in the latest ‘Battle of Britain’ encounter.
But the severity of the dismissal has now seen UEFA hit the 27-year-old with an additional game suspension which has ruled him out of the first leg of the knockout phase play-off, which takes place on February 11/12, with the return fixture coming seven days later – or the first leg of their last-16 tie if they finish in the top eight of the league.
UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Board have decided to dish out the two-match ban after following a review in which they have charged Maeda with “assaulting another player”.
The pacy wideman had taken to social media to apologise to supporters for his dismissal, saying: “Thank you for your support. I’m really sorry for causing trouble to the team in such a wonderful atmosphere. I’ll continue to do my best for the team. Congratulations to all the Celtic fans and supporters.
The win over Young Boys last week has already guaranteed the Hoops a place in Friday’s draw for the knockout phase play-off round. However a scalp against Villa tonight coupled with some results from elsewhere could see Celtic sneak into a top eight spot which would see them progress straight to the last 16 stage.
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