Celtic fans are far from happy that the club has switched dates for the potential Champions League tie with Linfield and won’t be taking up a ticket allocation.
Delaying a football match in order to allow locals to celebrate their hatred of Catholics is the big sticking point with almost all fans.
Compounding that is the decision of the club not to take tickets for the July 14 match.
Not taking tickets for July 11 or 12 would have been understandable but if the club are comfortable playing on July 14 the feeling is that the fans should be able to back the team.
Linfield vs Celtic will have no Celtic fans and has also been rearranged due to clash with marches celebrating killing Catholics. Bizarre.
— Liam O’Hare (@Liam_O_Hare) June 23, 2017
@celticfc pic.twitter.com/8W2lq7byRp
— Celtic Photos (@photo_celtic) June 23, 2017
What a shambles this possible Linfield tie is turning out to be.If fan safety can’t be guaranteed,the game should be moved
— thebhoy72 (@thebhoy72) June 23, 2017
If Linfield can’t safely stage a game as required because of a local bigot-fest, then they shouldn’t be in the tournament. End of.
— ByTheMinute Celtic (@ByTheMinCeltic) June 23, 2017
If Linfield & the PSNI cannot guarantee the safety of travelling supporters then the club should be severely punished by UEFA. Unacceptable.
— Kieran Caw (@Kieran_Celtic) June 23, 2017
Might not be a popular opinion but Celtic agreeing to both postpone Linfield game and refuse tickets is a capitulation to the bigots.
— Liam O’Hare (@Liam_O_Hare) June 23, 2017
Tie should be on July 11th/12th. If Linfield/Belfast authorities can’t facilitate that they either move game to another venue or forfeit.
— Celtic Wiki (@TheCelticWiki) June 23, 2017
Linfield’s has confirmed its potential CL qualifier 1st leg with Celtic will take place in Belfast on Friday, July 14. kick-off at 5pm HH pic.twitter.com/FgBCMdqrKY
— Celtic Gossip (@CelticGossip) June 23, 2017
Both Linfield and Police Service Northern Ireland have stated that they are happy to host Celtic fans but despite assurances there must be serious doubts about the safety of fans before and after the match in surrounding areas.
Celtic could of course be heading for a sunshine trip to take on Fiorita of San Marino who will meet Linfield next week in the first round qualifying tie.
Linfield have been given a 1,500 allocation of tickets for the match at Celtic Park on July 19- should they get past Fiorita.