Celtic could face action from UEFA over Palestine flag display

By Andrew Dickson

Image: Celtic fans display several Palestine flags at their Champions League qualifier with Hapoel Be'er Sheva

Celtic could face the prospect of more UEFA sanctions after their fans waved Palestinian flags at their Champions League qualifier against Hapoel Be'er Sheva on Wednesday night.

Fans housed where the new safe standing area is at Celtic Park - the Green Brigade group - displayed the flags during the 5-2 win for Brendan Rodgers' side.

UEFA forbids political expressions in football and given their opponents were Israeli, the body could take the view the act of waving Palestinian flags was a provocative gesture.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says there's still a big job to do against Hapoel Be'er Sheva

Celtic have already been punished by European football's governing body eight times in less than five years for a variety of offences.

On one of those occasions, they were fined £16,000 by UEFA after Palestinian flags were waved at another Champions League qualifier against Icelandic side KR Reykjavik in July 2014.

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Image: It was the second time in recent years Palestine flags have been waved at Celtic Park following a similar incident in 2014

In total, Celtic have been fined £123,000 for a range of misdemeanours at European ties including the use of flares, prohibited banners, unacceptable crowd behaviour and improper team conduct.

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If charged and found guilty, Celtic could face the part-closure of their stadium for a future European fixture.

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