UEFA takes no action over Palestine displays at Celtic Park for Atletico match
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group E - Celtic v Atletico Madrid - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - October 25, 2023 Celtic fans wave flags in support of Palestine amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Celtic won’t be punished by UEFA for the displays of support for Palestine throughout the Champions League match at home to Atletico Madrid on October 25.
Ahead of the match Celtic issued a statement urging fans not to bring flags, banners or emblems relating to the war in the Middle East with Palestine under attack round the clock from Israel.
Thousands of supporters ignored that statement with images from the stadium going viral with the distinctive green, white and red flag prominent.
With 25m Twitter followers Mesut Ozil shared his respect for the fans that brought the plight the Palestinian people to a global audience.
People of Palestine – you’ll never walk alone ????? Respect to the fans of @CelticFC ? #JummahMubarak #YNWApic.twitter.com/Elltg398dW
— Mesut Özil (@M10) October 27, 2023
Before and after the match it was expected that UEFA would fine Celtic with some howling about a partial stadium closure as a follow up to a fine in 2016 after Palestine flags were on display for the match against Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
One month of from the match against Atletico UEFA dished out their latest round of punishments with no mention of Celtic.
Disciplinary action on six matches was announced on November 6, yesterday a further six matches were judged on by UEFA’s Disciplinary Committee with no mention of either Celtic match against Atletico.
Next week Celtic are away to Lazio with a ticket allocation of 3,600, about one third of the number of fans that were in the Olimpico Stadium in 2019 for a Europa League tie.