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Sunday 15 May 2011

Neil Lennon attack, a dark dark day for football

I try and keep this site light-hearted but last night whilst watching Hearts v Celtic I was disgusted to see the actions of a 'fan' who got on the pitch and tried to assault Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

Luckily he slipped and didn't get much power in his punch but the fact he got that far amazes me.

Neil Lennon has had to endure torrents of abuse from fans and has done so all his career but this season he has had to deal with bullets sent in the post, parcel bombs aimed to kill and is under 24 hours security.

Why is he having to deal with this? Is it religion? Or is it purely because he is Celtics manager? Maybe even both. Either way it doesn't excuse thugs who want to cause the Irishman harm.

How this fan got on the pitch is one thing but how he got the Lennon I just don't know. As soon as he was on the floor he was pounced on by stewards and police before being escorted out of the stadium but by that time anything could've happened.

Will Lennon continue to manage Celtic. Well, he's a wealthy man who doesn't need to work so he could walk away and who would blame him but personally I think he will continue to manager the hoops.





This is the most serious incident of the season but since January there seems to be a sudden increase in pitch invasions. In January Stevenage defender Scott Laird was floored after their giant killing victory over Newcastle United. Originally it was thought a Newcastle supporter had thrown the punch but it was actually a Stevenage supporter who didn't particularly agree with some of Lairds off-field tactics.





A week later Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper was attacked by a Sunderland supporter during the Tyne-Wear derby. Asamoah Gyan had equalized for Sunderland in the fourth minute of injury time and a supporter jumped on the pitch and pushed the keeper over.





In the lower leagues, two weeks ago, the Bury goalkeeper Cameron Belford was attacked by a Chesterfield fan after Bury won 3-2 taking the League Two title away from the Spireites so its not just the Scottish and English Premier Leagues, it seems to be contagious.





I just hope this will be the last act of this kind, not only against Neil Lennon but footballers in general as the mindless minority could spoil it for the majority of fans who pay there money and all they want to see is 11v11 and an entertaining football match. I don't want to see the return of fencing in stadiums but how many more incidents will it take before the FA or SFA take drastic action.





Do you think Neil Lennon should resign as Celtic manager at the end of the season? Let us know, email admin@worldwidefootball.co.uk or twitter @jamiemason76

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