Hockey
- Headlines
- Scoreboard
- Standings
- Stats
- NHL Schedule
- Teams
- Players
- Hockey Night in Canada
- Highlights
- Fantasy Pool
Football
Alpine Skiing
Curling
Figure Skating
Basketball
Baseball
Soccer
Amateur Sports
Golf
Tennis
Auto Racing

Benfica's Binya hit with six-match ban

Last Updated: Friday, November 16, 2007 | 1:28 PM ET

CBC Sports

Benfica defender Augustin Binya was banned on Friday for six European club matches for his reckless tackle on Celtic's Scott Brown in a Champions League match.

UEFA, European soccer's governing body, made the decision after Binya received a red card in the 85th minute of a Nov. 6 game in Glasgow when he lunged at Brown and spiked the Scottish player near the knee.

Augustin Binya of Benfica leaves the field after being sent off during the Champions League game against Celtic.
(ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images)

Brown was not seriously injured on the play, but he said after the match, which Celtic won 1-0, that he felt as though the Cameroonian had attempted to snap his leg.

The UEFA disciplinary body met on Thursday to discuss the matter, and handed down the punishment on Friday.

Benfica is expected to appeal the decision.

The Portuguese outfit also released a statement, claiming the ban did not reflect the foul.

"This is a harsh sanction, and is disproportionate," said club spokesman Ricardo Maio.

"Binya did not oppose the referee's decision. And he was concerned about the other player's condition. Afterwards he even apologized."

The suspension means Benfica will be without Binya for their final two group-stage contests of the Champions League against Italian side AC Milan on Nov. 28 and Ukraine club Shakhtar Donetsk on Dec. 4.

Should Benfica fail to advance to the second round, Binya would serve out the remainder of his suspension in future in UEFA club competitions, including the UEFA Cup.

This story is now closed to commenting.

Internal Links

2007-08 Champions League

Soccer Headlines

FIFA calls emergency meeting ahead of World Cup draw: FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called an emergency meeting of its executive committee ahead of the World Cup draw in South Africa.
European match-fixing scandal investigated: Austrian Sports Minister Norbert Darabos has called for the "harshest penalties" possible for those involved in a European match-fixing scandal.
Palermo fires coach Zenga: Palermo fired coach Walter Zenga on Monday, a day after a 1-1 draw with Sicilian rival Catania.
Kroenke nearing Arsenal takeover threshold: American businessman Stan Kroenke has bought 10 more Arsenal shares to put him closer to the threshold that forces him to make a takeover bid.
Fraud sweep nets Potenza soccer club boss: Italian media say police have arrested the president of third-division soccer club Potenza and eight other people on charges of sports fraud, illegal betting or links with organized crime.

Sports Headlines

Leafs look for win despite Tavares return: John Tavares makes his return to the ice Monday, just in time to play the Toronto Maple Leafs in his hometown debut at the Air Canada Centre.
Senators look for 4th straight win: The Ottawa Senators have stayed near the top of the Northeast Division due in large part to a home-heavy schedule thus far.
Mauer dominates AL MVP voting: Joe Mauer has become only the second catcher in 33 years to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award, receiving 27 of 28 first-place votes and 387 points on Monday.
Iginla hopes to deliver against Ducks: Flames captain Jarome Iginla looks to build on his first hat trick of the season and help Calgary end its recent struggles against the lowly Ducks in Anaheim on Monday at 7 p.m. PT.
FIFA calls emergency meeting ahead of World Cup draw: FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called an emergency meeting of its executive committee ahead of the World Cup draw in South Africa.

Sports Features