Why Celtic fans face Champions League ban ahead of blockbuster tie
After setting off pyrotechnics during Wednesday’s loss to Aston Villa, Celtic supporters may not be
permitted to attend their highly anticipated Champions League matchup against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
After supporters set off fireworks after the team’s 7-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund earlier in the season,
the Scottish team was slammed with an immediate €20,000 fine and a one-match suspended ban
from selling away tickets for Champions League games.
A green smoke bomb was thrown onto the ground at Villa Park during the league phase final, and European football’s
governing body may decide to take action. Uefa warned Celtic that supporters would be banned if
the event recurred within the next two years.
After Aston Villa scored twice in the second half to win 4-2, Celtic responded to make it 2-2, and supporters
lit flares in the away end. As a result, Celtic secured a thrilling matchup in the play-off stages by finishing
the league phase as the 21st seed.
After the club was given a one-match suspended penalty, manager Brendan Rodgers had asked fans to behave.
The club had also written to fans warning them that they would be punished if the incident happened again within two years.
“People that have followed Celtic home and away for years and years should never be getting banned.
The support is incredible and it’s not something we need,” Rodgers said when speaking ahead of the trip to Atalanta in October
“We’re not a club that needs that to ignite our support because what we bring to a stadium in colour and noise is absolutely amazing.
I hope that this does end that because it just wouldn’t be right for any of our supporters to miss a game.”
After fireworks were set off during the Aston Villa game, Rodgers told reporters, “I am not even thinking about that,”
declining to comment. I’m only discussing football.
Celtic warned fans that there could be repercussions if the behavior was repeated.
Friday’s Champions League draw will determine whether Celtic face holders Real Madrid or
Bayern in the play-offs, in what would be their first knockout tie in 12 years.
A Celtic statement following the Dortmund match read: “The club has been very clear, over a number of years,
that the use of fireworks and pyrotechnics at matches is prohibited, and presents risks to supporter
safety and to the club under the applicable regulations.
“It is hugely disappointing, therefore, that the conduct of a very small minority has led to this decision, which could
potentially have such a negative and damaging impact on the team and Celtic supporters wishing to attend an away match to support the team.”
After Bayern supporters tossed pyrotechnics onto the pitch after the German team’s 3-0 victory over Lazio in the
round of 16, they were prohibited from attending their quarterfinal matchup against Arsenal at the Emirates last season.
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