Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is on the brink of a potentially significant suspension from the Scottish Football Association following his critical remarks about the officiating in Celtic’s 2-0 loss to Heart of Midlothian.
The game was notable for contentious decisions, including the dismissal of Hyunjun Yang and a penalty awarded against Tomoki Iwata for handball, both influenced by VAR interventions led by John Beaton.
Rodgers, clearly frustrated by the officiating, did not mince words in his post-match commentary, labelling the refereeing decisions as “incompetence” and criticising the VAR’s impact on the game.
These remarks have led to an SFA charge that could see him missing from the sidelines for the pivotal Glasgow Derby against Rangers on April 7th, a match with significant implications for the Premiership title race.
Celtic are reportedly gearing up to defend Rodgers by enlisting the services of Nick De Marco, a renowned legal expert with a track record in high-profile football cases. De Marco’s involvement in issues ranging from Financial Fair Play to club takeovers underscores the seriousness with which Celtic are approaching the situation. [Daily Record]
In fact, as per the report, Kieran McGuire, a football finance expert, compared the lawyer to Lionel Messi.
As Rodgers faces a minimum two-match ban, the outcome of the hearing could have immediate consequences for Celtic’s title ambitions, making De Marco’s role crucial in seeking a favourable resolution for the Celtic boss.
With the hearing set for tomorrow, all eyes will be on the independent tribunal’s decision, which could either uphold the charge and enforce a ban or accept De Marco’s defence on Rodgers’ behalf.
