Celtic came under fire last night after unilaterally deciding to close part of the ‘rail seating section’ for Thursday’s match against Rennes.
Pyro from that area has brought fines from UEFA but deciding on a partial closure with three days’ notice on the eve of the 2019 AGM has brought about a backlash.
Thursday’s action is from the Celtic board and will impact on many fans who haven’t been involved in the Pyro issue, Separately the club has been disciplined for banners and chants at the Lazio home match and face a further charge for Pyro and Fireworks at the return match with Lazio in Rome.
Pyro is acknowledged as a problem by most supporters but at the same time other clubs in UEFA competition aren’t throwing out their own fans for its use.
Tomorrow at their AGM the Celtic board, and Peter Lawwell in particular, are expected to be grilled over their backing of the SFA over the 2011 UEFA licence awarded to Rangers despite clear evidence that their title success in the 2010/11 season was achieved by withholding money from HMRC.
In September 2017, former SFA chief executive Stewart Regan, having previously denied any issue, referred the matter to the Compliance Officer. More than two years later the SFA have still to make any decision with the Celtic directors refusing to take the issue to UEFA to investigate.
Celtic Football Club statement.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 25, 2019
Fair enough, but surely if you are going to uphold one rule, you should uphold them all? #RES12 #Selective
— Kat??????? ??????? (@LiveLoveCeltic) November 26, 2019
Strange for Celtic to put this in a statement “which we all know will breach UEFA and Club regulations has continued”, and yet ignore Resolution 12 where there was breaches of UEFA, League and Club regulations.
— Tigertim Esq (@asmallteaser) November 25, 2019
— LouMun 67 ?????????? (@lfmunro) November 25, 2019
Absolutely disgraceful from the club to do this at such short notice when there’s innocent people with tickets that have booked travel and hotels to be there, in those rows @CelticFCSLO https://t.co/tx36uAe4en
— Coventry Emerald CSC (@CovEmeraldCSC) November 25, 2019
What`s next, closing part of the AGM seating when RES12 is brought up. ?
— Tam (@TamMcKenna1888) November 25, 2019
If they had any balls they’d have challenged UEFA especially in regards to the anti fascist banners. Ashamed of Celtic tonight.
— Paul McQueen (@queenmachine67) November 25, 2019
Shambles of a decision.
— Colm (@AtownColm) November 25, 2019
You refunding everyones travel and hotel too like?? Shambles decision 3 days before the match
— Rachael (@R15DBR) November 25, 2019
Why would you wait until 3 days before the game to announce this????
— Darren (@D_L67) November 25, 2019