CELTIC are facing disciplinary action after fans defied the club by unfurling Palestinian flags when the team took on an Israeli team in the Champions League.
Despite warnings to avoid political gestures – and the certainty that the club will be fined – some Celtic supporters raised Palestinian flags at the Scottish champions’ tie against Hapoel Be’er Shiva on Wednesday night.
Debate about Palestine outside @celticfc park ahead of #HapoelBeerSheva game pic.twitter.com/KjlNGMOxOU
— Ronnie Esplin (@RonnieEsplin) 17 August 2016
A Facebook page called “Fly the flag for Palestine, for Celtic, for Justice” was set up to co-ordinate the protests with fans being offered Palestinian flags to fly at the match.
The organisers say they will be exercising their “democratic rights to display our opposition to Israeli Apartheid, settler colonialism and countless massacres of the Palestinian people”.
Police watch on as some fans display Palestine flags outside @celticfc Park ahead of #HapoelBeerSheva play-off pic.twitter.com/NzDS2B8iho
— Ronnie Esplin (@RonnieEsplin) 17 August 2016
Celtic FC has already been fined by governing body UEFA over political demonstrations. Many fans have opposed the latest protest via social media.
The influential Celtic Underground blog said: "UEFA rules are the UEFA rules.
“The rules may be a nonsense but if you want to play in their competitions you have to abide by their rules.”
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