The Union of European Football Associations has opened a disciplinary case against Celtic for the demonstration of the Palestinian flag by fans of the Scottish team in the stands during a Champions League game.
TASS news agency quotes UEFA press service as saying:
A case has been opened against Celtic Football Club for a possible violation of an article of the UEFA disciplinary regulations for "the use of gestures, words, objects or any other means of transmitting provocative messages that are not in keeping with the spirit of a sporting event, in particular provocative messages that are of a political, ideological, religious or offensive nature"." The Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will make a decision in due course.
Recall, on October 25, Celtic fans put Palestinian flags in the stands during the home match of the group stage of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid (2:2). A group of supporters of the Scottish team, calling themselves the Green Brigade, have been holding actions in support of Palestine since 2012. This action was the reason why members of the group were banned from attending Celtic's home games.
On November 5, Mainz announced the termination of midfielder Anwar El Ghazi's contract for his post in support of Palestine.