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Celtic FC faces new 'illicit banner' probe following second clash with Belfast club

Fans display banners at Celtic Park on Wednesday, prompting a fresh investigation by UEFA. Jeff Holmes/PA Wire.
Fans display banners at Celtic Park on Wednesday, prompting a fresh investigation by UEFA. Jeff Holmes/PA Wire. Fans display banners at Celtic Park on Wednesday, prompting a fresh investigation by UEFA. Jeff Holmes/PA Wire.

CELTIC FC is to face another disciplinary investigation following Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Linfield after fans unfurled a banner appearing to depict a republican paramilitary.

The match at Celtic Park in Glasgow saw the home side beat the Belfast team by 4-0, but was marred by chants from fans and several arrests.

Both clubs have also been disciplined by European football body Uefa over trouble at the sides' match at Windsor Park on Friday of last week.

Uefa announced yesterday that Linfield would be fined €10,000 after missiles were thrown and fans invaded the pitch at the end of the match.

Celtic are to be fined €4,500 after five players were booked and striker Leigh Griffiths tied the club's scarf to a goalpost after the final whistle.

Griffiths has also been given a one-match ban.

Uefa announced yesterday it will launch a further disciplinary probe against Celtic over an alleged illicit banner, “kit infringement” and “blocked stairways” at the Glasgow stadium on Wednesday night.

The investigation was sparked after fans unfurled an image of a man in paramilitary garb wearing an Easter lily.

Another banner showed an image of Co Antrim-born Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, with the words ‘Rodgers at work’.

The image bore similarities to an IRA sign displayed in south Armagh during the Troubles warning of a ‘Sniper at work’ and featuring the silhouette of a gunman.

Under Uefa rules “gestures, words, objects or any other means to transmit any message that is not fit for a sports event, particularly messages that are of a political, ideological, religious, offensive or provocative nature” are banned from games.

In 2016 Celtic was fined under the same rule after fans displayed a Palestinian flag during a clash with an Israeli team.

Rival fans had to be separated by police ahead of Wednesday’s clash, and four men were arrested – two for alleged offensive behaviour and two for alcohol-related offences.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Although there were only four males arrested in and around the stadium during the match, Police Scotland has launched an investigation into the behaviour of a small section of supporters of both teams.”

The Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will announce the results of the probe into Wednesday's match on July 28.