Celtic fans hold 'show 'Israel' the red card' banner at UEFA game
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During the match between Celtic and Bayern Munich, the Green Brigade organized a large-scale protest, urging UEFA and FIFA to "Show 'Israel' the Red Card."
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Celtic fans unveil a banner reading "Show 'Israel' The Red Card" during the UEFA Champions League play-off first leg football match between Celtic and Bayern Munich at Celtic Park stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, on February 12, 2025. (AFP)
Fans of the Celtic soccer team unveiled a massive banner during last night's game, calling to "Show 'Israel' the red card" and demanding the occupation entity's exclusion from the sports organizations.
The banner notably places "Israel" in quotation marks, with the lettering stylized to appear as though it is dripping with blood.
Celtic fans also handed out leaflets advocating for "Israel" to be barred from participating in sporting events, according to "Israel's" Kan public broadcaster.
It is worth mentioning that Celtic fans are known for their strong pro-Palestine and anti-"Israel" sentiment.
Israeli forward Liel Abada departed from the team last year due to pressure from fellow Israelis urging him to stop playing for a fan base that frequently displayed banners with messages such as "Free Palestine" and "Victory to the Resistance."
Celtic fans are known for incorporating symbols of Palestinian nationalism into their matchday displays, while supporters of their rivals, Rangers FC, often counter by waving Israeli flags.
Last year on September 19, from the stands of the Celtic FC match against SK Slovan Bratislava at the UEFA Champions League in Scotland, the Scottish club's fans' message of solidarity with Palestine was loud and clear: "They can oppress you. They can imprison you, but they will never break your spirit."
Pledging support for the entirety of Palestine, their banners read, "Gaza, Jenin, Tulkarm, Nablus, you’ll never walk alone."
This came amid the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, which killed more than 46,000 Palestinians.
Read next: Majority of Scots support halting all arms exports to 'Israel': Poll
Celtic FC's Green Brigade has a well-established and vocal relationship with the Palestinian cause. The ultras group has frequently displayed solidarity with Palestine through banners, chants, and demonstrations during matches.
One of the most notable instances occurred in 2016 when the Green Brigade raised Palestinian flags during a UEFA Champions League qualifying match against an Israeli Hapoel Be'er Sheva team. This act of support for Palestine resulted in UEFA issuing a fine to Celtic for allegedly breaching regulations that prohibit political statements at games.
