UEFA fine for Celtic fans for flying Palestinian flag

UEFA fine for Celtic fans for flying Palestinian flag
European football's governing body has imposed a fine of $11,200 on the Glasgow-based club after fans waved Palestinian flags during a match against an Israeli team in August
Society
2 min read
The New Arab
29 September, 2016
Palestinian flags were displayed during Celtic's 5-2 home victory over Hapoel Be’er Sheva [Getty]
European football's governing body Glasgow Celtic 10,000 Euros ($11,200), after home fans flew Palestinian flags during a Champions League clash with Israeli team Hapoel Beer Sheva.

The disciplinary action marks the eighth time in recent years that the club has been fined for apparent "supporters' misconduct", the Scottish Herald reported.

But the fine dwarfed the amount Celtic fans raised for Palestinian charities following the incident, with supporters collecting over £172,000 ($223,195).

The initiative trended on Twitter under the hashtag #MatchTheFineForPalestine.

UEFA has justified the fine stating that the flags constituted illicit banners according to its internal disciplinary regulations

The fundraising campaign launched by Celtics' Green Brigade supporters group gave the money they raised to the Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) group.

The humanitarian organisation delivers health and medical care to vulnerable Palestinian communities in the Occupied Territories and elsewhere in the Middle East.

The Lajee Centre, a youth-centric cultural and sports initiative located in the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, also benefited from Celtic fans generosity.

Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Graham Watt, a professor at Glasgow University and trustee of MAP said that it had been "a brilliant, generous gesture by Celtic fans".

"[It tells] Palestinians they have not been forgotten". 

Following the announcement of the ban many Celtic fans took to Twitter. This is what one Celtic fan had to say:

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