Celtic fans raise over £75,000 for Palestinian charities
Celtic fans have smashed their initial target of raising £15,000 for Palestinian charities in a bid to match an impending Uefa fine for the club.
Celtic fans have smashed their initial target of raising £15,000 for Palestinian charities in a bid to match an impending Uefa fine for the club.
The European governing body last week launched disciplinary proceedings against the Glasgow club after a number of fans displayed Palestine flags during their 5-2 home Champions League victory against Israel's Hapoel Be'er Sheva.
The Green Brigade group of supporters subsequently launched an appeal on the gofundme website to match Uefa's fine and by breakfast time on Tuesday it was at more than £75,000.
The fans are raising money for Medical Aid Palestine, who deliver health and medical care to those "worst affected by conflict, occupation and displacement"; and the Lajee Centre, a cultural and sports project for children in Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem.
The appeal read: "At the Champions League match with Hapoel Beer Sheva on 17 August 2016, the Green Brigade and fans throughout Celtic Park flew the flag for Palestine.
"This act of solidarity has earned Celtic respect and acclaim throughout the world. It has also attracted a disciplinary charge from Uefa, which deems the Palestinian flag to be an 'illicit banner'.
"In response to this petty and politically partisan act by European football's governing body, we are determined to make a positive contribution to the game and today launch a campaign to #matchthefineforpalestine."
The statement added that the money would help buy football kit and equipment to enable the refugee camp to have a team, which will be called Aida Celtic, in the Bethlehem youth league.
Celtic face their ninth Uefa punishment for supporter behaviour in five years when the case is heard on September 22, which include a fine of more than £15,000 two years ago after a Palestine flag was displayed at a Champions League qualifier against KR Reykjavik.
The Uefa rule in question forbids the use of ''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''.
Celtic are in Israel for the second leg of their qualifying play-off, which takes place on Tuesday night.