ITV Denies Celtic Manager Neil Lennon's Claims Of Bias In Champions League Coverage

Broadcaster ITV "has rejected" accusations by Scottish Premiership Celtic Manager Neil Lennon that its recent Champions League coverage was "anti" Celtic, according to the Scotland DAILY RECORD. The first leg of the Scottish champions' playoff against Shakhter Karagandy in Astana "was screened live by ITV4, with commentary provided by Jon Champion and Clarke Carlisle." But Lennon claimed on Wednesday night comments made by the pair during the match -- which the Kazakhs won 2-0 -- were "disrespectful" to the Parkhead club and its supporters. However, PA Sport reported that ITV staff "have now reviewed the footage of the first-leg encounter with Shakhter and found the commentary to be fair." An ITV spokesperson said, "The coverage fairly reflected a disappointing performance and result by Celtic against a team they were expected to beat" (DAILY RECORD, 8/29).