Celtic captain Scott Brown has lost an appeal against his extended Champions League ban, manager Neil Lennon has confirmed.
Brown was banned for an additional two matches on top of the automatic one-game suspension for being sent off in the Group H clash against Barcelona on 1 October, punishment for flicking a leg out at Neymar after fouling the Brazilian.
The Scotland midfielder, who missed the home game against Ajax last month, was in Switzerland today to plead his case to UEFA's appeals committee but Lennon said: "It has been turned down.
We didn't win the appeal. It is disappointing. We thought we had a good case."
Brown will miss the return game against Ajax in Amsterdam next Wednesday and the visit of AC Milan later in the month.
Lennon, ahead of the Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee United at Parkhead on Saturday, said: "He will be flying back and meeting up with the squad tonight.
"I feel the ban is excessive for a misdemeanour, or whatever you want to call it.
"I am sure we had a fair hearing but it wasn't to be. It is a blow for us and for Scott and we will just have to deal with it.
"You are hoping to have the ban reduced but if not, you have contingency plans just in case.
"We do have an idea of who will play there on Wednesday.
"We will have to keep an eye on Beram Kayal, we can't afford to lose too many players in that area because it is a crucial part of the pitch."
Lennon, who addressed reports that he is interested in Partick Thistle left-back Aaron Taylor-Sinclair by saying "it is just speculation at the minute", is looking to remain unbeaten in the league before setting off for Amsterdam on Tuesday.
"I want keep this run going, I want to go into the Ajax game in good shape, psychologically," he said.
"It is a game we want to win and win well."
