Celtic fined by UEFA

Celtic have been fined £21,000 by UEFA for the behaviour of their fans during the 1-1 draw at Udinese in the Europa League last December.

The club were charged with “the displaying of a banner of an offensive nature and the setting of of fireworks by supporters” at the Stadio Friuli.

The decision to fine the Glasgow club was taken on 23rd February by UEFA’s control and disciplinary body but was only announced on Wednesday.

A UEFA spokesperson said: “Celtic have been fined €25,000 by UEFA’s control and disciplinary body for breaching Article 11 of the UEFA disciplinary regulations.

“The decision was taken on February 23. It is nothing out of the ordinary that it wasn’t announced then. We can have 100 cases at the monthly meetings. Celtic did not appeal.”

Celtic fans held aloft a two-part banner which insulted UEFA, just days after the club were fined £12,700 for “illicit chanting.” Fans had sung pro-IRA songs at the Europa League game against Rennes at Celtic Park.

Several flares were also set off in the stands in Italy, with one thrown on to the pitchside track, whilst Celtic banned one fan for life after he was arrested over the alleged assault of an Udinese club steward.

The club have vowed to sift through photographic evidence to find those fans responsible for the use of the flares, warning that they will take “appropriate action.”

Chief executive Peter Lawwell said: “It is very frustrating. Those people are not Celtic supporters.

“We will weed them out and these guys will not get back into Celtic Football Club.

“One or two silly little juvenile boys doing funny kids’ pranks and stuff is bringing the whole of Scottish football down.”

Article 11 pertains to: “inappropriate behaviour on the part of their supporters, including; the invasion or attempted invasion of the field of play; the throwing of objects; the lighting of fireworks or any other objects; the use of laser pointers or similar electronic devices; the use of gestures, words, objects or any other means to transmit any message that is not fit for a sports event, in particular if it is of a political, offensive or provocative nature; acts of damage; any other lack of order or discipline observed inside or around the stadium.”