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.
Celtic fined €15,000 by UEFA for illicit banner and illicit chants during match v Lazio at Celtic Park. Lazio fined €10,000 for illicit chants
— Raman Bhardwaj (@STVRaman) November 22, 2019
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.”
Green Brigade’s annual foodbank collection is this Saturday against Livingston.
All donations welcomed and greatly appreciated. pic.twitter.com/aEWDLz9Ewg
— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) November 18, 2019
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.