Celtic Football Club is once again under scrutiny by Uefa following the display of a controversial banner during their Champions League play-off first leg against Bayern Munich. The banner, which read 'Show Israel the red card,' was unveiled by Celtic supporters at halftime and remained visible for the majority of the second half.

Uefa's Response

Uefa's Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Committee will now review reports from the match to determine whether the banner conveyed a political, provocative, or offensive message. This decision could lead to potential fines or other sanctions against the club.

Context of the Incident

During the match, hundreds of Celtic fans held up red sheets of paper in the stands, aligning with the banner's message. This incident isn't the first time Celtic has faced Uefa's disciplinary actions. The club has a history of fines related to displays of political messages at games, including hefty penalties for banners against Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, and Shakhtar Donetsk in previous seasons.

The club had preemptively warned their supporters against displaying Palestinian flags, anticipating possible repercussions. Despite these warnings, the banner concerning Israel was prominently displayed, leading to the current investigation.

Previous Penalties

Celtic’s recent encounters with Uefa include a £8,400 fine for fireworks thrown onto the pitch and a £15,200 fine for provocative messages displayed during a match against Atletico Madrid. These repeated offenses suggest a pattern of behavior that Uefa is increasingly vigilant about.

As the disciplinary committee deliberates, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how political expressions are handled in European football stadiums. Fans and officials alike will be watching closely to see how this unfolds, especially considering Celtic’s upcoming match in Munich and the broader implications for fan conduct in international sports.