Celtic Reach UEFA Champions League Playoff After Legia Warsaw Field Ineligible Player

Celtic have qualified for the UEFA Champions League playoff round after Legia Warsaw fielded an ineligible player.

After a 4-1 defeat in Poland in the first leg, the Bhoys lost 2-0 at home last night at Parkhead, and were eliminated 6-1 on aggregate.

However, the Glasgow side were handed a lifeline when Legia brought on Bartosz Bereszynski for the final three minutes of the second leg.

With the 22 year-old suspended for the tie, UEFA have awarded Celtic a 3-0 victory, which sees them progress on away goals thanks to their strike in Warsaw.

“We can say that we found out about this situation on Thursday afternoon,” said a UEFA spokesman, as reported by the Daily Mail.

“It was a UEFA delegate who found out about it. Our disciplinary committee is meeting tomorrow morning to make a decision on it. If a player is found not to be eligible Legia Warsaw would forfeit the tie 3-0 and Celtic would go through on away goals.”

Legia spokeswoman Elizabeth Kus says the Polish club will not give up their place in the competition without a fight.

“This is the result of a misunderstanding,” she said.

“We have already seen comments appear which threaten us with expulsion, but this is absurd. UEFA have only asked us to explain.”