clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Scottish fans display Palestinian flag during football match with Israeli team

August 18, 2016 at 11:11 am

Fans of Scotland’s Glasgow Celtic FC display Palestinian flags while playing against Israel’s Hapoel Beer Sheva FC [Image credit: Twitter / @ChrisGunness]

Scottish football fans supporting Glasgow Celtic in a match against Israel’s Hapoel Beer Sheva team displayed Palestinian flags despite a ban by stadium officials and warnings of arrest from Scottish police, the Scottish Daily Record‎ reported.

Despite the UEFA and police warnings, a large number of Celtic fans waved Palestinian flags at the match.

The mass action to show support for the Palestinian cause was organised via a Facebook group titled “Fly the flag for Palestine, for Celtic, for Justice”.

Yvonne Ridley: Ordinary fans fly the flag for Palestine

UEFA fined Celtic $18,000 in 2014 after fans waved Palestinian flags during a match against Iceland’s KR Reykjavik.

UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee took action based on a rule which forbids political, ideological and religious messages at sports events.

In Photos: Palestinian flags flown at Celtic match despite UEFA threats

Read: Egypt condemns athlete’s refusal to shake hands with Israeli opponent