Celtic this afternoon received their latest UEFA fine following the recent match against Linfield at Celtic Park.
This time the fine is 23,0000 euros and this as usual has been imposed by UEFA’s Disciplinary Committee, who must be considering opening an office in the East End of Glasgow to deal with the volume of business the Celtic support provides.
This time Celtic were fined for the Green Brigade displaying of illicit banners and also for blocking of stairways in the same part of the ground during the Linfield match on July 19.
These offences, plus the unauthorised flares display at the Hearts match in May, resulted in Celtic taking action against 900 supporters in the standing section, banning them for two matches.
Better news for Celtic came in relation to kit infringement charge also brought by UEFA, concerning a sponsors logo. This charge was dropped completely.
The Green Brigade and subsequently The Celtic Trust have issued their own statements but as things stand the supporters group and the club seem miles apart.
This week Celtic Park had its Safety Certificate renewed by Glasgow City Council after the club’s assurances regarding safety issues in the standing area were accepted.
Celtic were fined €16k last season following crowd trouble and pyrotechnics during their away match against Manchester City in the group stages of the Champions League, and over £8k for displaying Palestinian flags during the home match with Israeli club Hapoel Beer Sheva.
Ironically enough the UEFA official delegate at that Manchester City match last December was from Linfield.
Since 2011, Celtic have now been fined £167,500 by UEFA having been charged for incidents against Fenerbahce, Inter Milan, Dinamo Zagreb, Reyjavik, AC Milan, Cliftonville, Udinese and Rennes.
