4 becomes 3 – maybe
Celtic's Champions League ambitions maybe on the verge of receiving an unexpected boost with their group F being reduced to 3 teams with Benfica possibly being removed from this seasons competition.
UEFA confirmed yesterday, that FIFA have given the Portugese FA (FPF) until the 14th to resolve the dispute between themselves and member club, Gil Vicente.
Gil Vicente have been denied promotion to Liga bwin (their top flight) for fielding an unregistered player last season. The club have since gone to the country's Civil Courts to settle the dispute, but such action is a violation of FIFA regulations.
Therefore if FPF can not resolve this they will face a ban from all international competitions, including the UEFA Champions League.
The ban would remove Benfica from the group leaving Celtic only to face Manchester United and FC Copenhagen. This ruling from FIFA would mean European football after Christmas for the Hoops in either the Champions League second round or the consolation of a UEFA cup place.