Celtic star Arne Engels banned for Belgium’s clash with France due to yellow cards from under-21s days

• Celtic star Arne Engels banned for Belgium’s clash with France due to yellow cards from under-21s days

Celtic midfielder Arne Engels is banned from playing for Belgium when they take on France in their Nations League game on Monday despite never being booked or sent-off for the Red Devils.

The 21-year-old Celtic star has played just once for the Belgian national team, coming off the bench against Israel on Friday, but a little-known UEFA rule means he is suspended against France despite ending the game against Israel with no booking.

Engels was a regular for Belgium under-21s, and the Celtic summer arrival picked up some yellow cards during their qualifiers for the European under-21 Championship next year, meaning he is due to serve a suspension.

 

The Hoops star was booked against Spain under-21 home and away and against Malta under-21 and there is an automatic suspension after every three yellow cards.

 

However, Engels was able to make his debut on Friday because Belgium under-21s did not have any games on or around Friday when the senior team played.

They face Kazakhstan in a qualifier on Wednesday, two days after the senior side play France, and his suspension has been carried over from his under-21s games because the France game falls within a 48-hour period of the under-21 game.

As a result, the Celtic star has to serve his suspension now and was only eligible to make his senior debut as the Belgium under-21s did have a match scheduled within a 48-hour period of the Israel game.

 

Engels has since returned to Parkhead and will be preparing for September 14 when they take on Heart of Midlothian and for their Champions League opener against Slovan Bratislava four days later.

The youngster made his debut for Celtic against Rangers a week ago after arriving from FC Augsburg on transfer deadline day, and he will be desperate to prove himself going forward.