Celtic confirms UEFA action over flags display

Glasgow Celtic has confirmed the club will face UEFA disciplinary proceedings following the mass display of Palestinian flags during a Champions League qualifier.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Aug 2016, 17:17 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 16:53 BST
Protesters with Palestinian flags meet Hapoel Be'er Sheva fans outside Celtic's stadium. A small fraca ensues and police move in.Protesters with Palestinian flags meet Hapoel Be'er Sheva fans outside Celtic's stadium. A small fraca ensues and police move in.
Protesters with Palestinian flags meet Hapoel Be'er Sheva fans outside Celtic's stadium. A small fraca ensues and police move in.

Fans distributed and held aloft the flags on Wednesday – in defiance of a ban on ‘political’ emblems – at the match against Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

Celtic has been fined a total of £100,000 since 2011 for similar breaches of the rule, and has previously been sanctioned over pro-Palestinian displays.

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A statement posted on the club website on Friday evening said:

“UEFA has today notified the club that disciplinary proceedings have been instigated in accordance with the UEFA disciplinary regulations.

“The notification relates to “illicit banner” at the match on August 17, under article 16(2) of the UEFA disciplinary regulations.

“The matter will be decided by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body when it meets on September 22, 2016.

“Celtic will not make any further comment on this matter until this process is complete.”

A partial stadium closure is one possible option open to UEFA.

Related topics:UEFACelticPalestinianChampions LeagueHapoel Be'er Sheva