Neil Lennon and Jim Duffy charged by SFA over touchline altercation

Hibernian boss Neil Lennon and Morton manager Jim Duffy have both been issued a notice of complaint by the Scottish FA's compliance officer following their touchline bust-up at Easter Road last week.

Neil Lennon and Jim Duffy
Published 4th Apr 2017

Hibernian boss Neil Lennon and Morton manager Jim Duffy have both been issued a notice of complaint by the Scottish FA's compliance officer following their touchline bust-up at Easter Road last week.

Lennon and Duffy were sent to the stand as tempers flared near the end of the Ladbrokes Championship clash, which ended 0-0.

Morton's Kudus Oyenuga was sent off for a tackle on Jordon Forster with Hibs' Darren McGregor dismissed for violent conduct in the aftermath.

Lennon and Duffy have been charged with alleged misconduct relating to disciplinary rule 203, as has Morton assistant manager Craig McPherson.

Both clubs have also been charged with alleged misconduct of their players and staff pertaining to disciplinary rule 204.

Lennon reacted with anger at Ton striker Oyenuga's challenge on Forster and was further incensed when Oyenuga went down clutching his face after being confronted by McGregor, who was also sent off by referee Nick Walsh.

Duffy, Lennon and several players and staff from both sides became involved in a melee.

Lennon has been charged with adopting an "aggressive attitude" to Oyenuga, Duffy, another member of the Morton staff and match officials.

Duffy and McPherson have been charged with adopting an aggressive attitude to the Hibees head coach.

Both clubs have been charged with the same offence, that "three or more players and/or members of team staff from your club, were involved in a confrontation with opposing players and/or members of team staff."

Lennon, Duffy, McPherson, and both clubs have until April 11 to respond to the complaint with the principal hearing date set for April 20.

Lennon claimed afterwards that Duffy had asked him for a ''square go'' - a fight - but an "embarrassed" Duffy denied that in in a statement which was posted on his club's official website on Thursday.

He said: ''I am not going to get involved in a public debate with the Hibs manager, but what I would state is that I categorically, 100 per cent did not ask for a 'square go' or use anything even remotely like that term.

''Yes, I acted immaturely - but I'm not 12 years old.''

''The guy tried to break his leg and then Darren McGregor goes over and he feigns a headbutt, goes down holding his face when Darren didn't make any contact,'' Lennon said after the game.

''And then the next thing I've got the Morton manager asking for a square go, which is fair enough, I'm not going to back down...

''I didn't react in any other way that any other manager wouldn't react to a tackle like that."