Lennon suspends two players "indefinitely" after hotel fracas

Neil Lennon has confirmed Wanderers have suspended midfield pair Barry Bannan and Neil Danns “indefinitely” and will also look to impose a maximum-allowed fine for a breach of club discipline earlier this week.

It is understood complaints were made against Bannan and Danns for their behaviour in the Whites Hotel in the early hours of Wednesday morning, following the 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic.

Lennon dropped the players from his squad for today’s 2-2 draw at Brentford and confirmed after the final whistle that disciplinary action would be taken, “I have to put a marker down and I won’t tolerate it, they have got a bit of making up to do,” he said.

“They are suspended indefinitely, until further notice, and they’ll both be fined the maximum wage we can do.

“We will welcome them back when and if we decide it’s the right time to do it.”

Lennon did not want to go into detail about the incident but expressed his disappointment at their behaviour, which alongside injuries to Matt Mills and Josh Vela, forced him to name a patched-up side at Griffin Park.

“We’re all big boys and I don’t mind them going out and socialising but they’ve crossed the line with me,” he said.

“I have to set standards at the club and expect them to be followed.”

Bannan is on loan from Crystal Palace and it is not yet known what his suspension will mean for the chances of him joining the club on a permanent basis next season.

“I don’t know what it will mean for him. I like him as a player,” Lennon said.

“He was very apologetic, as was Dannsy. We won’t make a big song and dance about it. We’ve tried to keep it internal but we’ll see what happens next week.”

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Wow. Ginger has got big balls. Big ginger balls.

Biggie wrote:Wow. Ginger has got big balls. Big ginger balls.

Might need to knock one out like jake

I wonder what happened here then ?

scottjames30 wrote:I wonder what happened here then ?

It was behaviour in the Whites Hotel 

stupid behaviour from two grown men, i'm hoping things cool down as i would love Bannan to stay at the club next season.

Give them a big fine and make them apologise to the hotel staff and then move on.

Fines for Neil Danns and Barry Bannan after all-night drinking session at hotel

Wanderers will fine midfielders Barry Bannan and Neil Danns two weeks’ wages after Neil Lennon axed them from the squad for Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Brentford for a breach of club discipline.

Both players were left at home by the Whites boss and “suspended indefinitely” after an incident in the club’s hotel early on Wednesday morning.

Staff and guests complained about the players’ behaviour after an all-night drinking session in the hours following Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic.

It is alleged abusive comments made towards hotel staff on the breakfast shift prompted an official complaint, which quickly got back to Lennon.

Bannan and Danns were due to take part in a corporate golf day on Wednesday but were back in training on Thursday and Friday with the rest of the first team. It is understood they will come into contention for next week’s game at Bournemouth, provided the proper apologies are made.

Speaking after Saturday’s game, Lennon felt he had to take a strict stance, even though it meant excluding two of his established first team regulars.

“We’re all big boys and I don’t mind them going out and socialising but they’ve crossed the line with me,” he told The Bolton News.

“I have to set standards at the club and expect them to be followed.”

Danns – who has acted as Wanderers skipper on occasion this season - is contracted for next season but the incident puts a cloud over Bannan, who was widely tipped to join the Whites in the summer after an impressive loan spell from Crystal Palace.

The Scot’s behaviour came under scrutiny at Aston Villa four years ago as he came through the club ranks, and he was once suspended by Alex McLeish for falling foul of the club’s code of conduct.

Lennon remained circumspect about the 24-year-old’s future when quizzed at the weekend.

“I don’t know what it will mean for him,” he said. “I like him as a player.

“He was very apologetic, as was Dannsy. We won’t make a big song and dance about it. We’ve tried to keep it internal but we’ll see what happens next week.”

From the dressing room, defender Tim Ream believes the pair expressed their regret and feels a line could now been drawn under the matter.

“They had their own meeting and we all had our own conversations back and forth once they were finished with the manager,” he told The Bolton News. “It is not for us as players to punish them. They know they have made a mistake.

“I think not being able to play is punishment enough. This is our job; this is what we love and what we get paid to do. So to not be able to do it is without doubt punishment enough.”

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i know the players stay in the hotel before games but why do they need to stay after games as well? Still no excuse to be abusing hotel staff though and as i said before they need to apologise in person to the staff involved.

Bolton have missed a trick here, surely they could sack Danns and not have to pay him a penny?

Natasha Whittam wrote:Bolton have missed a trick here, surely they could sack Danns and not have to pay him a penny?

Danns is a decent player, stop being silly

Norpig wrote:Danns is a decent player, stop being silly

Until he got a contract!!!

bryan458 wrote:

Norpig wrote:Danns is a decent player, stop being silly

Until he got a contract!!!

Rubbish, up until the Liverpool game he was in great form.

He's been poor this season overall. I don't believe he'll be a first teamer next season so this would have been the ideal chance to get shut.

Natasha Whittam wrote:I don't believe he'll be a first teamer next season so this would have been the ideal chance to get shut.

So you don't need squad players over a 46 game season?

They went on the piss thats all.

bwfc1874 wrote:

So you don't need squad players over a 46 game season?

He'll be on big bucks, why pay big bucks for a bench warmer?

He definitely won't be on big bucks. He's a journey man championship player the wrong side of 30.

He's on big bucks. Simple as that. If you think any Championship player signs for another Championship club for anything less than big bucks you are a fool.

What are we classing as big bucks?