Soccer:Anthony Stokes has been handed a one-game ban following an incident at the end of Celtic's 2-1 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Hearts at Hampden on Sunday, the Scottish Football Association have confirmed.
Referee Euan Norris included an ‘A5’ offence by the Republic of Ireland player in his match report, which pertains to “offensive, insulting and/or abusive language and/or gestures”.
Stokes and the Parkhead club were informed by Norris he was to be mentioned in his report at the time, which in effect was a red card.
The suspension is specific to the Scottish Cup which means Stokes will miss Celtic’s first tie in next season’s tournament.
Norris’s report is almost certain to land Celtic manager Neil Lennon in more trouble.
The Parkhead boss marched onto the pitch to confront the referee after Hearts substitute Craig Beattie scored the winner from a last-gasp penalty, awarded when a shot from Marius Zaliukas hit the arm of Joe Ledley before brushing the hand of Victor Wanyama.
Lennon, who has three disciplinary cases pending, two of which will be heard by the SFA’s judiciary panel at Hampden tomorrow, was further enraged when Norris refused Celtic a penalty in injury time when the ball appeared to come off the arm of Hearts defender Andy Webster.
Afterwards Parkhead coach Alan Thompson confirmed Lennon had been to the referee’s room and it is likely that he will be asked to appear before the judiciary panel again.
