Celtic face UEFA disciplinary action after Palestinian flags flown at Champions League match

Celtic have been fined for similar incidents before

Celtic are facing the risk of disciplinary action from UEFA after a section of the home support waved Palestine flags despite being told not to. Before their Champions League fixture on Wednesday, a display featuring the colours of the flag was unveiled in the lower half of the section while the upper half had smaller Palestine flags being waved. https://twitter.com/redstreamnet/status/1717262787917857191 Two large flags were also flown as the Celtic and Atletico Madrid players ran onto the pitch at Celtic Park. The Scottish club are now likely to face more action from UEFA after they were previously fined £9,000 in 2016 after fans flew Palestinian flags during their 5-2 victory against Israel’s Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

One support group, known as the Green Brigade, encouraged Celtic fans to “courageously fly the flag for Palestine” as the Middle East conflict continues to escalate.

However a statement from the club before kick off demanded supporters to do not display “banners, flags and symbols” that reference the conflict. They said: “We have witnessed death, violence and destruction in the Holy Land in recent weeks, with thousands of people – men, women and children – killed, injured and displaced.” It continued: “Against this backdrop of conflict and pain, sport can promote peace and demonstrate humanity and empathy for all who continue to suffer.” Players and staff from Celtic wore black armbands as a  “show of respect and support for all those affected by the conflict” and had also donated money to the International Committee of the Red Cross. After the game, the Green Bridge confirmed that they had given supporters the flags outside the ground. “We respect the right of all fans who wish not to participate in such an action, however equally we ask that the same respect and freedom is afforded to all fans who do,” the group said. Related links:

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