Benfica defender Luisao will miss Celtic match as FIFA extend suspension

Luisao travelled with Benfica to Scotland but won't be able to face Celtic.SNS Group

Benfica will be without key defender Luisao for their Champions League opener with Celtic on Wednesday night.

The Brazilian was given a two-month suspension from Portuguese football last week, having pushed over a referee during a pre-season game with Fortuna Dusseldorf in August.

FIFA were left to rule on whether the Eagles' captain would also be banned from all football worldwide and the governing body confirmed on Tuesday that he would be unavailable for selection.

The governing body confirmed in a statement: "FIFA can confirm that on Tuesday September 18, it informed the Federação Portuguesa de Futebol that, in accordance with Article 136 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the Chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has extended the two month suspension imposed by the FPF on the player Luis da Silva (Luisao) to have worldwide effect.

The 31-year-old travelled to Scotland hoping to be involved in the first group match but will now not be eligible to play in the Champions League until mid-November, also missing games with Barcelona and Spartak Moscow.

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