Celtic's Scott Brown Fails to Have UEFA Ban Overturned After Neymar Clash

Scott Brown has failed in his attempt to reduce a three-match Champions League ban, as reported by Darren Johnstone of The Scotsman.

Brown had travelled to UEFA's offices in Nyon for a personal hearing after his automatic one-game suspension had been extended to three by the European body’s Control and Disciplinary Committee, per BBC Sport.

The Celtic skipper was sent off for a needless kick at Neymar, during the home defeat to Barcelona. Brown was dismissed on 59 minutes, with the score still 0-0, before the visitors struck the only goal on 76 minutes.

As Johnstone writes, Neil Lennon described the ban as "excessive" and told reporters he found news of this outcome to be "disappointing."

At the time, Brown told Celtic's official website:

"

It's something that happened in the heat of the moment but I shouldn't have acted in this way.

I need to live with that and there is no-one more disappointed than me.

"

Having missed the next Champions League tie with Ajax, a match in which Celtic sustained their qualification hopes with a 2-1 win, Brown will miss the crucial return trip to the Netherlands and a potentially crunch showdown with AC Milan.

Despite two defeats, Celtic currently sit on three points, just two behind AC Milan who travel to Barcelona during the next round of ties.

Unless there's a shock at the Camp Nou, Milan will then travel to Celtic with second-place very much up for grabs.

It may provide Celtic small comfort to know their recent European record is marginally better without their captain.

Of their previous 14 Champions League and Europa League ties, Brown has missed exactly half. Celtic have recorded three wins and two draws from the seven games he's missed and taken just the two wins and two draws from the seven he's played.

However, statistics aside, there's little doubt Brown's presence and leadership will be missed against two challenging opponents.

Celtic are already underdogs to qualify and their captain's needless absence only makes a tough task more severe.