Butt banned for three matches
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Article summary
UEFA has suspended Newcastle United FC's Nicky Butt after his red card against Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin FC.
Article body
Angry reaction
Butt was dismissed shortly after coming on as a substitute in the first-round match after reacting angrily to a foul by Abbass Swan on Patrick Kluivert, which earned the Bnei Sakhnin player a red card also. UEFA said that its Control and Disciplinary Body had qualified the player's actions as an assault.
Appeal possible
Newcastle have until midnight on Sunday to appeal against the decision. As things stand, though, the English international will miss the return leg in Israel next week, together with the first two matches in the group stage, should Newcastle advance. Graeme Souness's side lead 2-0 after the first leg.