Celtic take aim at “very small minority” after UEFA fan ban

Celtic have taken aim at a “very small minority” of away fans after UEFA sanctioned the club for pyrotechnics in the away defeat to Borussia Dortmund. The Scottish Champions were hammered on the pitch and now UEFA’s Control Ethics and Disciplinary have hit the club hard with a fine and a suspended away fan ban.

In a club statement on Wednesday evening, Celtic made it clear that they were not pleased with the decision, highlighting their stance on pyro and the impact a potential ban could have.

“The Club has received the decision issued by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body following the match against Borussia Dortmund, in which the Club has been sanctioned, again, for the lighting of fireworks by a small number of individuals attending the match.

“The decision provides that, not only has the Club received a fine of €20,000, but also that, if such behaviour is repeated at a match in the next two years, the Club will be prevented from selling tickets to supporters for one away match in UEFA club competitions.

“The Club has been very clear, over a number of years, that the use of fireworks and pyrotechnics at matches is prohibited, and presents risks to supporter safety and to the Club under the applicable regulations.

“It is hugely disappointing, therefore, that the conduct of a very small minority has led to this decision, which could potentially have such a negative and damaging impact on the team and Celtic supporters wishing to attend an away match to support the team.”

The scenes in Dortmund will have had the club fearing action from UEFA, which has been delivered as expected. The ban is suspended for two years but it feels inevitable that there will be no Celtic away fans at an away game at some point given the prevalence of pyro in the away end in recent years.

Pyrotechnics do a lot to enhance the atmosphere but UEFA have repeatedly hammered Celtic with fines as a result. The race for away European tickets is always a mission and those that have Zagreb booked up will be worried that there will be pyro in Bergamo meaning there could be no Celts at the game in Croatia.

About Author

Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.

4 Comments

  1. Pyrotechnics do NOTHING to enhance the experience at matches. Only good football does!
    These MORONS need to be banned from matches. if they are not for Celtic, they must be against it.
    Pyrotechnics spoil the experience for all other spectators. So step up and BAN them Celtic. They are not needed and not necessary.

  2. Pyrotechnics do NOT enhance the atmosphere at all.
    If you can’t enjoy a game of football without fireworks, then maybe football isn’t the sport for you.

    Those numpties will end up ruining the teams chances of having a vocal support behind them in future.
    Root them out.
    They’re not true supporters if their actions hurt the club.

  3. Use of pyros does not create an atmosphere, it creates a risk to safety of both supporters and stadiums.
    They are outlawed for a reason, not just because the football authorities are being awkward.
    The rules are known yet a section of our support contnue to act like they are above the rules. How far does it have to go before they get the message? Will it take European games behind closed doors before it sinks in?

  4. The Club must know to whom they are issuing these tickets. Its extremely difficult to get tickets for away Matches in Scotland never mind Europe. Get these morons away from our club. Stop these fools from besmirching the name of our club, both at home and in Europe. They are a constant embarrassment.