Celtic could face UEFA action over Palestinian flags

Celtic could potentially face UEFA disciplinary action after their supporters waved Palestinian flags during their side’s Champions League play-off tie against Hapoel Beersheva on Wednesday evening.

Fans in the new safe standing area at Celtic Park – the Green Brigade group – were holding the flags during their 5-2 first leg win.

UEFA, European football’s governing body, doesn’t allow political flags, signs or slogans to be displayed during football matches.

Celtic have already been punished by European football’s governing body eight times in less than five years for a variety of offences, which in total has seen them fined £123,000, including for an incident back in July 2014 when they were fined £16,000 after Palestinian flags were waved at another Champions League qualifier against Icelandic side KR Reykjavik.

On the pitch, Brendan Rogers’ side take a commanding lead into next week’s second leg. Tom Rogic fired them ahead in the tenth minute, and they went into the break 3-0 ahead, thanks to a Leigh Griffiths double.

Two goals in a minute from Lucio Maranhao and Maor Melikson put the Israelis right back in the tie, but Moussa Dembele’s header and Scott Brown’s late volley means the Israeli’s have to either win 3-0 – or by a four-goal margin in next week’s second leg, which takes place on Tuesday evening.