A group of Celtic fans have ignored the club’s request to not display Palestinian flags and held them up prior to the game against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The Green Brigade, who normally arrange a display for big games, had previously said that they would hand out the flags ahead of kick-off. Despite being banned from away matches, the group has continued to display the flags at home games against Hearts and Kilmarnock as well. By defying the club’s request, Uefa is expected to impose a fine upon Celtic.
Celtic Football Club has already distanced itself from any banners, flags, or symbols relating to the Israel-Hamas conflict; however, the Green Brigade has reiterated that football supporters have the right to express political beliefs, regardless of any sanctions handed down by the club or governing bodies. Despite being prohibited from taking their flags into the stadium, the group is determined to distribute thousands to fans. The conflict between the club and its supporters comes amidst an ongoing dispute about how fans of football clubs should express their beliefs in a world where political events can be so polarising.
It is not the first time Celtic have been fined for such behaviour. In 2014, European football’s governing body, Uefa, fined the club for the display of Palestinian flags during a match against Icelandic club, KR Reykjavik. The Green Brigade also displayed the flag during the team’s 2016 Champions League qualifier against the Israeli club, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, resulting in an £8,600 fine. In a separate incident, the club was fined over £15,350 by Uefa for a banner of an offensive nature which displayed an anti-monarchy message.
Many Celtic fans have had a long-standing association with the Palestinian cause, displaying the country’s national flag on a number of occasions. While the club recognises that their supporters hold personal views, they do not want any banners, flags, or symbols relating to the conflict between Israel and Hamas displayed in the stadium at this time. Uefa and Fifa have also reiterated that politics and football should never mix, with sponsors not wanting any controversy associated with the game. The fine imposed by Uefa is expected to be a reminder to fans that expressing political beliefs in a football stadium has consequences
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