Can anything be learnt from his decision?

Lennon had been subject to verbal abuse from Northern Ireland's largely Protestant supporters since joining Celtic, a club with mainly Catholic traditions, 18 months ago.

And the final straw came when Lennon, who was due to captain the side, received the threat from a paramilitary group shortly before kick off and decided to pull out of the match.

So what now for football in Northern Ireland?

I would've been very impressed with the Northern Ireland team had they walked out last night in protest. Sadly they didn't, which is symbolic of the attitude of resignation prevalent in this country and why it's run by a minority of bullies.
Peter Adams, Northern Ireland

Having been disappointed to here the story unfold concerning Neil Lennon, I must say I was disgusted to hear the BBC Radio One report refer to Celtic as a Catholic Club. Celtic is NOT a Catholic Club, it is a Football Club.

While compiling your report, even the most basic of investigations would have found that Celtic FC was founded in 1888 as a charity to help the large Irish community based in the East End of Glasgow - Catholics and Protestants.

Such claims, like those on your report, do more to inflame an already volatile situation. I am a protestant and Celtic are my club.
John, Glasgow

As depressing as it is that Neil Lennon will be lost to international football, I've already heard the 'slant' being put on this by loyalists and it really makes my blood boil.

The suggestion is out there that Lennon's commitment to Northern Ireland is suspect (effectively saying that he's taking an opportunity to get out of NI football altogether). This disgraceful spin will end up being the revisionist argument by thugs who say they represent working-class unionist communities.
Colin, The Netherlands

I have nothing but sympathy for the player and his family. What a complete disgrace that in the 21st Century there are still such bigoted morons still alive and well, not only in Northern Ireland, but in the British Isles as a whole.

Sectarian threats and violence should be treated just as harshly as racial threats are. Anyone caught should be subject to imprisonment. I find it completely pathetic that a talented sportsman cannot represent his own country because he was not born into the 'right' religion.
Charlie, England

I was at the game last night. I only found out about the death threat as I was entering the stadium. I was gutted, absolutely gutted. I haven't missed a home N.I. game in the last five years.
PC, Northern Ireland

It's a sad irony that in the early Eighties when Northern Ireland won (and retained) the old Home Championship and toppled Spain on their home territory in the World Cup, there were more Catholics wearing the green and white than Protestants.

It is difficult enough for us to attract quality players of Northern Irish descent (most second generation Irish opt to play for the resurgent Republic team) - without these mindless bigots placing an 'exclusion order' on our own home-grown talent because of their religion.
Zane, Bangor (NI)

I see that the paramilitaries in question have now dismissed this threat as a hoax. It's a pity they could not have made this statement in time for Neil Lennon to take to the field last night. It's too little, too late to be convincing.
Richard Fallon, England

I support both Rangers and Northern Ireland and am appalled by this. I urge people from both communities not to desert the Northern Ireland side because of a few lunatics.

I can understand some Catholics wanting to support the Republic instead, but it is not the answer - it's running away from the challenge we face as a society and only damages community relations further by giving Protestants and Catholics even less in common. Making Northern Ireland work is the only way forward.
Simon Riley, UK

This must be the saddest day in the IFA's history. The whole team should just disband after this affair. These thugs need to have a long hard look at their behaviour and reflect on how pathetic they actually are. Lennon is just a football player who wanted to represent his country, nothing more.
Mark, Ireland

Sadly the bigots have won, to be honest it's a lost cause as sadly many folk in Northern Ireland and the West of Scotland will continue with their bigoted views no matter what the IFA, SFA and the Old Firm try to do.

I also think it's a disgrace to see Rangers introduce an orange away strip for this season, they must have known it would cause uproar especially as orange is not a colour officially associated with the club! Needless to say it has been the best selling Rangers top so far, to me it's cashing in on sectarianism!
Gary, Scotland

It would be worth carrying out a survey to see how many Catholics support the Northern Ireland team - very few I'll bet. Jim Boyce and Co need to admit the Northern Ireland soccer is rotten to the core. I went to a Northern Ireland Match once and I will never go back.
M Griffin, Ireland

I follow no religion and as such I find it incredibly sad for Neil Lennon, a much admired player, to be denied the chance to be captain of his country. In international football, there is no greater honour than this, and it is only offered to the most committed and talented players. I also feel sorry for the people of Northern Ireland who, it would appear, have lost a class international player and an inspirational captain.
Jez Howell, England

It's good hear from those 'genuine' Northern Ireland fans condemning what we all agree to be the hateful treatment of on of our players. It's not so great to hear comments from those outside Northern Ireland and even some inside who haven't been to Windsor Park for years if ever. Windsor Park is not a sectarian cauldron.
R McC, Northern Ireland,

As a Leicester City fan I watched Neil Lennon with enthusiasm. He is a very talented player. Every Northern Ireland football fan should feel ashamed that their game is being held hostage by individuals who have no interest in football.

It is a sad day indeed when a player of Neil Lennon's calibre has to forego playing for the national team due to the bigotry of some individuals.
Irene Cadwallader, United Kingdom

I'm a Rangers fan and it's time both Celtic and Rangers got together and called a news conference and made public their feelings towards sectarianism. This will not go away until the people responsible for singing the songs / waving the flags etc are made aware that it's not to be tolerated.
Kenny, Scotland

Neil Lennon should be applauded for his efforts in trying to lead the way for other catholic players into the Northern Irish team. He chose to play for them because Northern Ireland is his country of birth. The fans however, prefer to remain backward and insular, and they should be left to get on with supporting half of a national football team, because that is all they deserve.
Ian, Scotland

It's a very sad day for Northern Ireland soccer. Roy Keane could do well to look at this situation and re-examine his petulant attitude to playing for his country.
Mike Buckley, Dublin, Ireland.

I cannot believe that a footballer has had to stop representing his country because of his religion. This is like a story from 1950's Alabama. Lennon is one of the few decent players they have and would have made a great captain but it seems the old problems will never leave us, even on a football field.
Steve Flood, England

Well done whoever issued the death threat, Northern Ireland loses its best player since Gerry Armstrong and Martin O'Neill and Celtic have no worries about Neill picking up injuries on international duty.

My heart goes out to Neill Lennon and his family who have been tortured since he signed for Celtic. My heart also goes out to the Northern Ireland team and management who will get absolutely nowhere until sectarian halfwits quit bringing politics into international football.
Dave, N. Ireland

All respect to Neil Lennon for what cannot have been an easy decision, and it's a scandal he was forced into this situation in the first place. Are his fellow internationals showing any support for him now?
Elaina, Netherlands

I feel it was right for the match to go ahead following the threats to Neil Lennon. It gave a chance for the fans and team to show that the terrorists will not win. It also gave the fans a chance to show their support vocally from the stands - Lennon's name was chanted (favourably) throughout the game.

I agree that football in N.I should be moved away from Windsor Park, but the decision has to be taken carefully, the team shouldn't play in an overtly Protestant area (i.e. Windsor Park) or a Catholic area (Dublin).

There is sectarianism all over the island of Ireland, not just the North, it really just depends on how it manifests itself.
Jonny, Northern Ireland

If a black player playing for England was booed and threatened by England 'fans' it would be a huge issue and I'm sure the FA would take steps to ensure it did not happen again.

However, Northern Irish football is plagued by sectarianism and it seems to be tolerated. Sadly I think the attitudes expressed by the morons last night are tolerated and even shared by a significant portion of the IFA and fans of Northern Ireland. They don't deserve to have a player of Lennon's quality playing for them.
John McMahon, Liverpool, UK

What happened to Neil Lennon last night was a complete reflection on the state of Northern Irish football. I was totally sickened and disgusted but not in one bit surprised.

I know I will have someone coming on and defending the support the team gets, but how can you support something that is so bigoted? I just wish that the team had the decency to call the game off last night in protest. I know that this would have upset a lot of genuine fans, but at least it would have got the point across that the scum cannot play God all their lives. It's bad enough growing up with all this around us in our lives, but don't bring it into soccer.
Sickened, N. Ireland

The solution is not to move N. Ireland matches to Dublin or have an all-Ireland side. Northern Ireland is a separate entity from the Republic and any such moves would not be well received.

If Catholic players don't want to be abused they should play for the Republic as they are entitled to do. This would eradicate any terrace problems.
Barry C, N Ireland

I have never understood how any Catholic could play for Northern Ireland due to the sectarian songs, flags and chants. This is also the reason why the Nationalist population of Northern Ireland do not support their team. I also think the match should have been abandoned to support Neil instead of playing!
Frank, N Ireland

I'd be very interested to hear Glasgow Rangers make a public comment on this, as their bigots have booed Neil Lennon for every minute of every Old Firm game since he joined. They need to tell their own side that this is totally unacceptable and they are not welcome at Rangers' matches.
Gordon, Scotland

Neil Lennon should quit international football right now. He has had to put up with this for too long. This is the price he has to pay for playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Chris McAvoy, Belfast, Ireland

Since when did one's religion or club matter when you're representing your country? People forget that three outstanding Celtic servants- Kenny Dalglish, Danny McGrain and Jock Stein (Celtic's most successful manager ever)- were Protestants.
David, Sydney, Australia

Embarrassing is one way to describe it. And although the truth is probably that some half-wit with a grudge (no reason needed) made the call, these threats cannot be taken lightly. As a Catholic, Windsor Park is not a venue that I would consider attending. A neutral venue is required - somewhere outside the city.
PH, N. Ireland

I was on the way to the game on Wednesday night when I heard the sickening news of the death threat to midfielder Neil Lennon. Only in this country could a mindless thug ruin the night of the true fans of football.

Having met Neil on a number of occasions, I can vouch that he wanted to play for Northern Ireland and was looking forward to captaining the side for what would have been the second time. I do believe that he was right to walk away from the match with such a threat hanging over him and his family - I and many others would have done the same.

Sectarianism seems to engulf every detail in this country and now it seems that football here has now fallen to its lowest ebb. The only winner on Wednesday night was the mindless thug who thought he would wreak havoc on our already depleted international side. Here's hoping that Neil returns to the team and that football will ultimately win the day.
BG, Northern Ireland

The idiots that make these pathetic threats must feel so threatened by the unification the football brings to people. A good example is how people in England where brought together during the World Cup. This is what they fear, football uniting the people of N. Ireland.
Andy Stewart, UK

I am a protestant from Northern Ireland, and all I can say is that this is disgusting. The whole team should refuse to play until such ghastly, childish and pointless threats are lifted.
Colin, Northern Ireland

This incident is an abomination. It's a sad day for all football lovers but an even sadder day for Neil Lennon. Northern Ireland's players should have refused to field a side last night as a gesture of support to Lennon. The IFA must refuse to play in the province again until sportsmen and women are allowed to go on a playing field without fear of their lives.
Alick, Cyprus

As a Northern Irish native living way from home it is sickening to see bigotry still remains a part of being a Northern Ireland supporter. Part of the problem though is in not having a true National Stadium which would make it easier for greater cross community support for the Northern Irish team. Windsor Park is a sectarian hotbed.

Having followed Irish League football (Coleraine supporter) for years I have always felt intimidated by the loyalist paraphernalia constantly on display at Windsor Park on match day.
Derek McDonald, Isle Of Man

This sort of thing is absolutely disgusting. I'm a Rangers fan but I can't stand the petty minded bigotry which goes on in football and which I often see first hand in Glasgow. I especially resent the risk of being tarred with the same sectarian brush - particularly when my partner is an avid Celtic fan!

A bit of healthy rivalry between teams is normal and welcome (particularly when the SPL is so dull at the moment!) but this sort of thing is depressingly sad. It's time Celtic and Rangers did more to stamp out sectarianism - they pretend to try but really they don't.

How about Martin O'Neill and Alex McCleish getting together and condemning this sort of thing and stating in public that neither is a "protestant" or "catholic" team, and also banning of ANY sectarian rubbish within the grounds. These teams are SCOTTISH for goodness sake - get rid of those English and Irish flags - PLEASE!
Mel, Scotland

Neil Lennon must be persuaded to carry on as captain. The bigots cannot be allowed to win. If they are to be successful in influencing team selection then, in my opinion, there should be no Northern Ireland football team at all.

The overwhelming majority of people (including football fans) in Northern Ireland have nothing but contempt for paramilitaries of any persuasion. They represent no-one except their own narrow interests, and are a disgrace to the country. I sincerely hope football wins.
Joe Prior, UK

It's a shame because without Lennon in the team we don't stand a chance of doing well in qualifying for Portugal 2004. I think it's sad because Neil Lennon knows what it's like to play for Northern Ireland with the banners and singing, but obviously playing around this isn't enough for these people.
Paul Beattie, Corby, UK

I remember Neil Lennon when he played for my team, Crewe Alexandra, and he is remembered not just for his obvious talent but for his determination and commitment - he once had to be dragged from the field for medical treatment despite having broken his jaw, such was his commitment to the cause.

How can the Northern Irish FA afford to forgo a player of this quality? The answer is that they can't and if the future team has to be without Celtic players then Northern Ireland are going to be one of those teams talked about in terms of how many the opposition will get, and that would be very sad.
Huw Melliar-Smith, UK

Northern Ireland football is in a sorry state. A 0-0 draw at home, against Cyprus is failure. Back in the so-called glory days, the team excelled with a core of top-flight players who approached every game with passion, industry and self-belief - qualities oozing from Neil Lennon. The IFA should spare no effort getting him back, at least as player, preferably as captain. And while they're at it, ask Martin O'Neill to be manager.
Leslie McCrory, Northern Ireland

It's ironic that when a postman gets a threat thousands of his colleagues stop work in protest to support him till the threat is lifted. Would it have been too much to ask that twenty or so could have done that last night and stood up to the sectarian bigotry that has no place in sport in the first place?
Ron, Ireland

I think the time has come for soccer to follow the sensible route of rugby and field a single team for the 32 counties of Ireland. In a united team, bigotry would be easily defeated. We never want a repeat of the sick chants in the aftermath of Greysteel a few years ago which was an embarrassment to honest people both sides of the border.
Feargal O'Dufaigh, Ireland

I am shocked at the lukewarm protestations of outrage by the Northern Irish FA, an attitude that will only fuel and encourage sectarianism further into football.

It is time they took a stand, with Neil Lennon, and took a leaf out of the Brazilian governments book (who threatened to cancel all games if hooliganism continued), and threaten to refuse to play any more matches until all paramilitary groups agree that football should be kept out of politics, and no player will be threatened or harmed.
A Legge, UK

I used to be an avid fan of Northern Ireland and attended many matches when I was younger with my father, but we stopped going to Windsor Park around 1994 due to the sheer level of sectarian abuse. As a Catholic this was always disconcerting and worrying.

I do not support Northern Ireland and would hope that Neil Lennon does not risk his life playing for such a team. Why is it possible for there to be an all Ireland rugby team that is accepted by all sides of the community, but it could not be accepted in soccer?
Kevin, N. Ireland

Now is the time for the IFA to prove they are against sectarianism. They should issue a statement saying that the N. Ireland team as a whole will not be playing again unless such threats are lifted.

This will assure both sides of the community that they are all for equality. No one should have to use the back door and leave because of narrow-minded thugs.
Jonathan Holland, Ireland

I believe a new improved stadium, relocated somewhere more accessible to all fans would allow Northern Ireland football a fresh start.

However, what happened to Neil Lennon is a consequence of a sectarianism, a much more serious issue, that must be faced by everyone in N.I. not just the IFA.
Anon, N. Ireland

How tragic to hear the news that Neil Lennon may feel compelled to quit. My partner (from Belfast, but now living in London) was particularly incensed about this but, as with many non-sectarian �migr�s, he is fearful about expressing his views.
Jane Saunders, UK

This is probably the final straw now for Lennon. Each match he has played for N.I since his move to Celtic he has been abused by the minority of fans (if you can call them that!!). It is just stupid as Lennon is probably the best player that we have and for him to quit would be like England losing someone like Beckham or Scholes. This is how football is in N.I and I feel that it won't change.
Lee Hayes, Buckingham, England

Why doesn't Irish football take the lead from rugby and play north and south together as one team?
Paul, Wales/Germany

Anyone who watches Scottish football from the terraces knows that there is a dreadful amount of sectarianism on display. This is not a 'football' thing but a people problem. Goodness knows what it must be like in Ireland itself. Until the football clubs tackle the issue directly with the backing of the authorities and politicians then it's not going to go away.
Graeme, France

What I find intriguing about the whole situation is that while Lennon played for Leicester nobody raised an eyebrow; he did not make the move to Celtic for any religious or political reasons. He had the chance to follow one of the countries top managers to a great team.

I find it sad that ignorant bigots would try and prevent him representing his country; this has no place in the world, never mind in football.
Kevin Moore, England

It is absolutely disgusting that Sammy McIlroy and his team went ahead and played the match. In doing so they gave these filthy maggots exactly what they wanted. They should have stood side by side with their captain. Instead the message they sent was 'Sorry Neil, they don't want you to play so that's the way it's gonna be'. Sammy McIlroy didn't seem too bothered the last time Lennon was booed off the pitch either.
Paul Molloy, Ireland

This has been building up for years. The IFA has always turned a blind eye to sectarian chants at Northern Ireland matches. Sectarianism should be treated the same as racism - ban these louts from matches.
Neal, UK

I despair at what is happening in N.I. The small minded people on both sides will eventually destroy any chance of a decent football team, or a decent way of life. Ad who gets the blame?
John Beeden, England

I watched the friendly against Norway and I was utterly disgusted with the crowd's behaviour towards Neill Lennon. Things haven't improved. His team mates should support him by refusing to play or alternatively N.I home games should be moved to Tolka Park in Dublin. That should keep the bigots away.
Einar Hattrem, Norway