Celtic fans may be barred from attending their Champions League match against European powerhouses Real Madrid or Bayern Munich after firing off fireworks during the defeat against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
The Scottish team received a one-game suspended ban on distributing away tickets to Champions League games, as well as an immediate €20,000 fine, after supporters lit fireworks during a 7-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund earlier in the season.
Uefa has warned Celtic supporters that if the event occurs again within the next two years, they would be banned, and European football’s regulatory body may take action after a green smoke bomb was thrown onto the pitch at Villa Park in the league phase finale.
After Celtic equalised to make it 2-2, supporters lit flares in the away end, before Aston Villa scored twice in the second half to win 4-2. Celtic finished the league season as the 21st seed, ensuring a dramatic tie in the play-off stages.
Manager Brendan Rodgers had asked supporters to behave after the team received a one-match suspended penalty, and the club had also written to fans, warning them that if the incident occurred again within two years, they would face penalties.
“People who have supported Celtic at home and away for years should never be blacklisted. “The support is incredible, and it’s not something we need,” Rodgers remarked before the trip to Atlanta in October.
“We’re not a club that requires that to energise our fans because what we bring to a stadium in terms of colour and noise is really incredible. I hope this ends because it would be wrong for any of our fans to miss a game.”
Rodgers refused to comment after fireworks were set off during the Aston Villa match, telling reporters, “I’m not even thinking about that.” I’m just talking about football.
Celtic cautioned fans that repeating the behaviour would result in repercussions. The Champions League draw on Friday will determine whether Celtic meet holders Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the play-offs, which would be their first knockout tie in 12 years.
Following the Dortmund match, Celtic issued the following statement: “The club has been very clear, over a number of years, that the use of fireworks and pyrotechnics at matches is prohibited, and poses risks to supporter safety and 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.”
Last season, Bayern supporters were prohibited from attending their quarter-final against Arsenal at the Emirates, after followers of the German club tossed pyrotechnics onto the pitch after their 3-0 victory over Lazio in the last-16.
