Celtic fined €15,000 by UEFA, Green Brigade raise £15,750 for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

CELTIC have been fined €15,000 by UEFA for illicit banner and illicit chants in the 2-1 win over Lazio at Celtic Park while the Italians have been fined €10,000 for illicit chants at the same match.

There were no flares from the Celtic support at this match after the club had issued an appeal but the upside down Mussolini banner and what seemed like the entire Celtic support chanting the anti-Lazio-Ultras-Politics chant has resulted in this fine.

On this occasion it has to be said that it’s money well spent for the Celtic support to stand up for the unacceptable right wing extremists among the Lazio support. Indeed their offensive political views made the home and away wins over Lazio even sweeter.

And remember that the Green Brigade organised their own fund raising initiative to help two charities in Rome and Glasgow.

The Green Brigade’s Football Against Fascism Fund Raising Appeal raised £15,750 for two charities in Rome and Glasgow. They described the two groups that this money will be used to help.

“Since 2015, Baobab Experience have supported more than 85,000 asylum seekers in Rome. They offer food, clothing and accommodation services to ensure that people’s most basic needs are fulfilled. They also provide legal assistance and physical and mental healthcare.

“Closer to home, Scottish Action for Refugees is a charity that supports refugees in Scotland as well as coordinates international efforts. Specifically in Glasgow, they have created a SAFR Space which is a community hub offering help and support for refugees and asylum seekers with the practical aspects of setting up a new life in a strange country.”

Today Celtic launched their Christmas ad – it’s wonderful and if you haven’t see it we’ll re-post below. Notice the ‘I Wanna Be Edouard’ shirt, which is Elyounoussi is wearing. It has to be said that the club do rather well from commercialising some of the ideas and songs that the Green Brigade start. Swings and roundabouts and all that.

The stance of the Celtic support in standing up to this hateful right wing extremism also raises the club’s profile internationally.

The UEFA fine is a price worth paying and on this instance there were over 50,000 responsible, not just the Green Brigade.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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