UEFA have today confirmed that Celtic have been fined €10,000 for displaying 'illict' pro-Palestine banners during their Champions League tie with Hapoel Be'er Sheva of Israel.
The governing body have fined the club €10,000 for displaying the banners, something the supporters' group Green Brigade described as a "petty and partisan act" when they first learned of an investigation being opened. They released the following statement:
At the Champions League match with Hapoel Be’er Sheva on 17 August 2016, the Green Brigade and fans throughout Celtic Park flew the flag for Palestine
This act of solidarity has earned Celtic respect and acclaim throughout the world. It has also attracted a disciplinary charge from Uefa, which deems the Palestinian flag to be an ‘illicit banner’.
In response to this petty and politically partisan act by European football’s governing body, we are determined to make a positive contribution to the game and today launch a campaign to #matchthefineforpalestine.
The fine, however, is dwarfed by the money the clubs' supporters raised for Palestine charities to Medical Aid Palestine and the Lajee Centre, a cultural centre in the Aida refugee camp near Bethlehem.
The fine was expected to be around £15,000, so Celtic fans set a target of matching that total for charity. That target wasn't as much met as blown away: the donation currently stands at a remarkable £172,800, raised in just over a month.
Elsewhere, Dundalk's Champions League conquerors Legia Warsaw will face Real Madrid behind closed doors, following crowd disturbances in their game against Dortmund. They were also fined €80,000 after home fans showered stewards with pepper spray and attempted to break through barriers to reach Dortmund fans.
Uefa found Legia Warsaw fans guilty of setting off fireworks, throwing objects and racist behaviour.
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