Celtic fan group defy club and risk UEFA wrath with support for Palestine
A Celtic supporters' group have shown their support for Palestine during the Champions League game against Atletico Madrid, despite it being condemned by the club.
Earlier this week, the Hoops released a statement and claimed banners, flags and symbols relating to the Israel-Hamas war "should not be displayed at Celtic Park at this time". This was after Celtic fans displayed Palestinian flags at recent games against Kilmarnock and Hearts.
However, the Green Brigade decided to hand out flags to supporters at Parkhead, and they were present in the stands before kick-off as the players came out of the tunnel and the Champions League music was played.
Celtic are now facing a fine from UEFA - seven years since the club were handed a punishment for displaying an "illicit banner" during a Champions League qualifier. Fans flew Palestine flags before and during the game against Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva in August 2016, leading to a fine of over £8,000 from Europe's leading governing body.
Meanwhile, back in October 2022, Celtic were fined more than £13,000 by UEFA after fans displayed an offensive anti-monarchy banner against Shakhtar Donestk. It came six days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II and UEFA said the display "not fit for a sports event".
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The Celtic fans' support for Palestine against Atletico comes following a row between the club and the Green Brigade after the supporters' group reiterated their "unshakeable belief" that they have the right to express their political views at matches. This is when they urged fans to "raise the Palestine flag on the European stage and show the world that Celtic Football Club stands with the oppressed, not the oppressor".
Despite the pro-Palestine flags, Celtic's Israeli international Liel Abada thanked the club's fanbase for their support. He wrote on Instagram: "It is difficult to explain the range of emotions I feel at the moment we woke up to one of the darkest days in the history of my country.
Celtic fans holding up Palestine flags (PA)"I would like to thank everybody sending me supportive messages on social media over the last couple of days. It is not taken for granted. My heart goes out to all the families who lost their loved ones. Praying for more peaceful days. Love you all."
Ahead of Celtic's trip to Hearts, boss Brendan Rodgers delivered his verdict on the matter and how it could affect Abada. "Liel knows that everyone here is supportive of him," Rodgers told Sky Sports last Friday. "Any Celtic fan I've known over the years has always supported the Celtic player. So he knows he has that. He's had conversations with the board and everyone else.
"It's a really divisive subject and of course it's not something that as a father or a parent, you want to see: killings on whichever side it is. But clearly, it is something that sits beyond a football manager.
"But for us and Liel, he knows he has the support here of everyone: supporters and everyone working within the club. "As you can imagine, it's a really traumatic time for everyone looking at it. When you watch the scenes, it is very harrowing and of course if you're close to it and you can touch it, it is even more so.
"I had a meeting with Liel one evening and we talked through lots of things. He is in regular contact with back home and he has the support of everyone here at Celtic."
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