Brendan Rodgers has urged Celtic supporters to stop using pyrotechnics issuing a strong message to those who do.“It’s not fair, and it’s not right”…
£20,000 fine and a suspended sentence
Celtic were handed a £20,000 fine and a suspended sentence of a one-match ban for a Champions League away match in the next two years. The use of pyrotechnics against next Wednesday’s clash with Italian side Atalanta could see UEFA implement the ban for the Hoops next game on the continent at Zagreb in December.
As the players emerged from the tunnel at the Westfalenstadion in Germany more than two weeks ago, a section of the Hoops support lit flares to which the European Governing body were displeased about.
Meanwhile, it is not the first time Celtic have been fined for supporters displaying pyrotechnics in a European match.
Media Conference ahead of clash with Aberdeen
At today’s media conference ahead of tomorrow’s top of the table clash with Aberdeen, manager Brendan Rodgers praised the travelling away support but insisted they do not have to use pyrotechnics to amplify support for the players on the pitch:
“We don’t need the pyrotechnics for a great support. The support that we get home and away in games is absolutely incredible, and we can’t let that type of behaviour dictate whether fans can be in the position of not attending a game.”
“It’s not something that we need”
“It’s not fair, and it’s not right. People who have followed Celtic home and away for years should never be getting banned, and like I said, it’s not something that we need.”
“We’re not a club that needs that to ignite out support base. What we bring to a stadium in colour and noise is amazing. I hope that this ends that because, like I said, it wouldn’t be right for any of our supporters to miss a game. We can’t afford for that to happen, and if it does, it’s totally on a minority of our support. It’s as simple as that.”
“It’s nothing to do with football”
“It’s nothing to do with football, and if you do keep doing it, you show that you don’t really care for the team, the support or the club.”
Hoops supporters turned out in their numbers to watch Celtic’s 7-1 hammering in Germany. They will do likewise in Bergamo on Wednesday night. However, the use of pyrotechnics jeopardises a possible ban from an away game in the Champions League. Brendan Rodgers could not have been anymore defiant with his message.
Conor Spence
We don’t need these so-called fans supporting our team. They are just attention seekers and are no different from the Ibrox mob. It is absolutely selfish and thoughtless to subject other people to these flares and it is a serious health hazard, quite apart from wasting money.
Celtic, as a club, should ban these so-called fans. There are plenty of decent fans who will take their place. Nearly everyone in my area is thoroughly fed up with them and do not want any of this nonsense.