NEIL LENNON has called for another soccer summit in an effort to sort out refereeing and disciplinary procedures.
He was the Hibs manager 12 months ago when there was a so-called clear-the-air meeting in Perth, but problems still exist with controversial decision-making that leaves the Celtic boss puzzled and perplexed.
Lennon admitted he is still astonished of the judgement of the SFA compliance officer Clare Whyte and three anonymous former referees who slapped a three-game suspension on midfielder Ryan Christie following his incident with Alfredo Morelos in the final Premiership clash of the 2019 at Parkhead.
It was deemed an act of brutality and violent conduct by the Scotland international – a verdict that baffled just about everyone who witnessed the coming together that was ignored by referee Kevin Clancy who awarded the visitors a free-kick and decided against any other punishment.
Lennon, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “I would be in favour of getting together. There’s too much confusion and controversy.
“I look at the Christie incident and it still bewilders me how he got a three-game ban for that.
CONFRONTATION…Ryan Christie challenges Alfredo Morelos.
CONSTERNATION…Christie looks on as Morelos hits the turf.
“There is no consistency to it. If that means the heads of clubs getting together and getting some sort of clarity, some kind of straight line of dealing with these things quickly as possible, then all the better.
“The longer it lingers there is confusion and debate, then there is anger. There are stories that aren’t true and players, managers and everyone else gets angry.
“It’s a difficult job for the SFA and the compliance officer, but we need to simplify it. Make it more straightforward.
“The managers should have an input. I’ve been at a few in my time.
“We had the one last season in Perth, but the main talking point was about VAR.
“In terms of suspensions and the changes in the way thing are done, there was a lot of debate about that, but there’s still a bit of unrest.
“Well, do you believe things aren’t right? Most people in football are of the same opinion.”
Lennon is in favour of the compliance officer acting upon offences that are missed on matchday – but not stepping in at random.
He added: “There has to be somebody who looks at things and says: ‘That’s not right and within the laws of the game’. If there is a punishment to be given out – for inciting crowds and that sort of stuff – then so be it.
“Obviously, we want order within the game, but we want common sense, as well.”
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