Celtic football club fined for pro-Palestine protests

Celtic football club has been fined by UEFA – the governing body of European Football – on Thursday because of fan led pro-Palestinian protests during a game against Israeli team, Hapoel Be’er Sheva on 17 Aug at Celtic Park.

In statement UEFA revealed that it was imposing a fine of 10,000 euros on Celtic after the governing body launched an investigation following the match. During and before the Champions League game in August fans displayed Palestinian flags and other pro-Palestine symbols. This was considered in breach of a UEFA rule that bans “gestures, words, objects or any other means to transmit any message that is not fit for a sports event, particularly messages that are of a political, ideological, religious, offensive or provocative nature”.

The Scottish champions have been punished nine times in five seasons by UEFA on similar grounds. Including a large fine two years ago when a Palestine flag was waved at another Champions League qualifier against KR Reykjavik.

Celtic fans have raised more than £172,000 for Palestinian charities since the beginning of this episode.

In the match itself Celtic trounced Hapoel Beer Sheva 5-2.