Lennon, McCoist hit with bans

The Scottish FA have suspended Celtic manager Neil Lennon and Rangers assistant Ally McCoist for their Old Firm clash last week.The pair argued heatedly following Celtic’s 1-0 win in the Scottish Cup fifth-round replay, in which red cards were shown to Rangers players Steven Whittaker, Madjid Bougherra and El-Hadji Diouf.The Association suspended Lennon automatically due to an overhanging charge of misconduct, and he will serve a four-game ban from the technical area.McCoist, who is due to take over from manager Walter Smith at the Rangers helm next season, will cop a two-match touchline suspension.Bougherra and Diouf have both been reported to the Association’s disciplinary committee for misconduct, with penalties pending at an SFA meeting on April 12.A Scottish FA statement read: “The Scottish FA can confirm that Neil Lennon, the Celtic manager, and Ally McCoist, the Rangers assistant manager, have been charged with misconduct relating to the Scottish Cup fifth-round replay.””Mr Lennon will incur an automatic four-match suspension from the technical area, owing to a previous charge of misconduct, while Mr McCoist will incur a two-match suspension. These will be effective from March 16, 2011.””In addition, the Rangers players, El-Hadji Diouf and Madjid Bougherra, have been informed that they will be reported to the disciplinary committee for misconduct of a significantly serious nature. These will be considered at the committee’s next meeting, on April 12.”