Neil Lennon says he loved Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho's post-match celebration against Juventus
Lennon: "The reaction totally smacks of double standards and hypocrisy. And that's where we are with the game up here [in Scotland] sometimes."
Thursday 8 November 2018 15:07, UK
Neil Lennon has defended Jose Mourinho’s post-match celebrations after Manchester United beat Juventus and says he knows exactly how the Portuguese felt.
The United manager smirked and nodded at Juventus fans after the final whistle before cupping his ears, provoking a furious reaction from Juve defender Leonardo Bonucci.
Lennon, who last week threatened to walk away from Scottish football over what he describes as sectarian hatred and racism north of the border, believes there is hypocrisy and double standards in the way he is treated compared to Mourinho.
The Hibernian boss said: "I enjoyed Mourinho after the game.
"I was thinking 'Yeah, I know exactly how you're feeling', but then the reaction totally smacks of double standards and hypocrisy. And that's where we are with the game up here [in Scotland] sometimes."
Asked to elaborate by Sky Sports News reporter Luke Shanley, Lennon added: "You know what I'm talking about Luke, with the reaction to what Jose did.
"It was banter, it was fun, love it, that's the mainstream down there [in England]. Up here it's goading, inciting violence, inciting a riot.
"We're human beings at the end of the day. I think there is a reason why Jose did it and I totally understand the reason why he did it."
Lennon has generated as many headlines as his Manchester United counterpart recently after being struck by a coin on the touchline during last week's Edinburgh derby.
The 47-year-old former Celtic boss believes authorities should impose tough sanctions on those found guilty of such offences if they want to stamp the problem out of Scottish football.
"You saw what happened on Wednesday night [in the Edinburgh derby] and then you see what happens to Alfredo Morleos. He was just celebrating a goal.
"It's an individual's decision to throw a coin, and hopefully they get him or her and they are punished accordingly and severely. And it's got to be a deterrent so that people go 'You can't do stuff like that'.
"It's totally unacceptable. Is it worthy of a custodial sentence? Maybe. Taking away a season ticket isn't enough, I don't think."
