CELTIC could face a Uefa fine totalling tens of thousands of pounds after some fans lit flares before last night's Europa League draw with Udinese in Italy.

Despite warnings from Celtic that pyrotechnics should not be taken into the Stadio Friuli some fans did so and three flares were set-off just before kick-off.

Although they were not thrown towards rival fans Uefa are still likely to take a dim view of the incident because the governing body's policy is to regard flares as a danger to supporters.

Flares used to be common at football grounds in mainland Europe, including Italy, but they are seen far less often since Uefa banned them.

Barcelona were fined £87,000 in August after fans lit 10 flares during their Super Cup victory over Porto in August. Barca were unhappy at the severity of the fine and pointed out they could not be held responsible for what an individual fan took into a stadium.

Earlier this week the German club Hanover 96 passed over a German FA £3330 fine to the fan who admitted throwing a flare.

Celtic will learn in the coming days if Uefa are to take any action over last night's flares. Fans also held up an anti-Uefa banner before the game as a protest against the recent £12,700 fine for illicit chanting in the group game against Rennes.

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