Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has fallen foul of UEFA’s strict rules over kick off times which are “important” to adhere to, Keith Hackett has explained.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that matches played in European competition are organised to a tight schedule.
Despite his side being on course for a domestic treble, Rodgers has recently faced questions over his Celtic future after defeat to Rangers.
Now, the 52-year-old has also been hit with a sanction by European football’s governing body following his side’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
UEFA take action after Celtic vs Bayern Munch delay
Last month, Celtic were eliminated from the Champions League following their clash with Vincent Kompany‘s side.
After losing 2-1 at home in the first leg, when Celtic midfielder Arne Engels was controversially denied a penalty, the Scottish champions drew 1-1 in Germany in the second leg, losing 3-2 on aggregate.
It has now emerged that Rodgers has been handed a suspended one-match touchline ban after a delay to kick-off during the second leg of the tie.
The Bhoys has also been fined £8,345 over the incident, and Hackett has now offered an insight as to why that action may have been taken.
Keith Hackett offers explanation for Brendan Rodgers punishment
After being asked by Football Insider about what may have prompted UEFA to issue that punishment against Celtic and Rodgers, the former referee said:
“Like the Premier League games under the UEFA banner are broadcast around the World. UEFA prepare and issue a countdown clock for the approach to kick off.
“The type of arrangement this covers is from the time each team leaves their respective hotels and the time the officials leave their hotel…
“The area allocated for the teams to warm up and what time they enter the field to start their pre-match preparations. Then the time of team sheet exchange and congregation in the tunnel.
“There is a signal from the touchline by the TV team to the referee to kick off. The whole matter of kick off at the appropriate scheduled time co-ordinates with the broadcasters around the world.
“The same focus on the restart after the halftime interval is where there may have been a problem if the manager extends his halftime team talk and delays the restart.
“Not every country that broadcasts UEFA games has a panel discussing the lead up to the game and the restart after the halftime interval.
“In many countries it’s a one minute introduction film and then first shot on the referee blowing his whistle to start the game. It is important that clubs and their manager adhere to the countdown clock.”
Celtic are due to return to action after the March international break on Saturday (29 March) when they host Hearts at Parkhead.
