December 12 – Scottish champions Celtic will find out on Friday what sanction they will face over outlawed banners displayed by fans during last month’s Champions League clash with AC Milan.
UEFA’s control and disciplinary body met on Wednesday to discuss what action to take against fans portraying images of former IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands and Scottish warrior William Wallace.
UEFA rules prohibit political and ideological messages being displayed but the case also called into question supporters’ rights to freedom of political expression.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon admitted his “heart sank” when he saw the banners, displayed by the Ultras-style Green Brigade supporters’ group, at the 3-0 home defeat by AC Milan, arguing it was neither the time nor place for such a demonstration.
Celtic’s European adventure this season ended on Wednesday when they were thrashed 6-1 by Barcelona. The club have already taken steps to separate Green Brigade members at home matches while last week thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the away end of the ground when Celtic met Motherwell in a Scottish league fixture.
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