Celtic could yet make Champions League as UEFA launches investigation

Celtic could be handed a sensational Champions League reprieve after UEFA launched an investigation into the eligibility of one of Legia Warsaw's players during their 6-1 aggregate win over the Scottish champions.

Celtic could be handed a sensational Champions League reprieve after UEFA launched an investigation into the eligibility of one of Legia Warsaw's players during

Read More:

The Polish side confirmed that they had been asked for information from the European governing body.

A statement on Legia's official website read: "The club announces that in connection with the Celtic FC-Legia Warsaw match in the second leg of the third qualifying round of the Champions League, UEFA opened an investigation into the participation of Bartosz Bereszynskiego.

"The club is preparing the relevant information and explanations, which will be sent to UEFA today.

"The result of the investigation will be announced immediately after its completion."

Bereszynski was sent off for violent conduct against Apollon in the final match of Legia's Europa League campaign last season.

The full-back missed both of Legia’s matches against St Patrick’s Athletic in the second qualifying round and sat out the 4-1 first-leg victory over Celtic.

But the investigation apparently centres around whether the player was registered in Legia’s squad against the Dublin side in order to allow a three-match suspension to take effect.

Bereszynski only came on in the 86th minute of Legia’s 2-0 win at Murrayfield, when the game was well and truly over, but the context and impact of his appearance might not have any influence on the outcome of the investigation if rules were breached.

Champions League regulations state that players must be registered with UEFA within requested deadlines and that “only eligible players can serve pending suspensions”.

UEFA’s disciplinary regulations decree that a match may be declared a forfeit if an ineligible player participates, “as long as the opposing team files a protest”.

The team forfeiting the match is deemed to have lost 3-0, which would put Celtic through on the away goals rule.

The UEFA administration decides on eligibility questions while any appeals are dealt with by UEFA’s control and disciplinary body.

more courts articles

Football fan given banning order after mocking Munich air disaster Football fan given banning order after mocking Munich air disaster
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van

More in this section

Aberdeen v Celtic - Scottish Cup Semi Final Joe Hart the hero for Celtic after thrilling Cup semi-final win
Leicester City v Stoke City - Sky Bet Championship - King Power Stadium Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy goals secure vital Leicester win over West Brom
Chelsea stun Barcelona to take first-leg lead back to Stamford Bridge Chelsea stun Barcelona to take first-leg lead back to Stamford Bridge
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited