Celtic Faces UEFA Fine After Fans Defy Pleas, Fly Palestine Flags During Beer Sheva Clash

Scottish Premiership side Celtic faces "another UEFA rap" after its fans "flew Palestine flags during the Champions League clash with Israelis Hapoel Beer Sheva," according to Darren Cooney of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. It "is the ninth time in just five years Hoops supporters have landed their club in trouble with European football rulers." UEFA "forbid political expressions in football and the waving of the Palestinian standard is seen as especially provocative given the opposition." Police Scotland this week "urged fans not to make a statement in the first-leg playoff." But those pleas "fell on deaf ears" and now Celtic faces yet another fine -- or even part closure of its stadium in European competition. It is the latest misdemeanor by Hoops supporters "who have cost their club" more than £100,000 ($131,500). It is also the second time the club has been fined for supporters flying Palestinian flags -- "the first coming against KR Reykjavik in 2014" (DAILY RECORD, 8/17).