Lotina banned for outburst
Friday, September 19, 2003
Article summary
RC Celta de Vigo coach Miguel Ángel Lotina has received a two-match ban for his red card in a qualifier.
Article body
Protests too much
Lotina was sent off for protesting to the referee, Belgian official Frank De Bleeckere, after only 18 minutes of the third qualifying round, second-leg tie against SK Slavia Praha last month. Celta lost the match in Prague 2-0 but went through 3-2 on aggregate.
Milan ban
Lotina served half of his sanction when he watched from the stands as Celta drew their opening group-stage game 1-1 at Club Brugge KV on Tuesday. He will complete the ban when Group H rivals AC Milan visit Vigo on 1 October.
Player suspended
Meanwhile, the disciplinary committee also suspended player Steve Birz, from Luxembourg's champions CS Grevenmacher, for six months for a doping offence committed at the Champions League first qualifying round tie against FK Leotar.