Celtic fans raise ‘Show Israel the Red Card’ banner, UEFA considers sanction
Fans raise banner saying ‘Show Israel The Red Card,’ urging UEFA and FIFA to take action against Israel in competitions, Glasgow, Scotland, Feb. 12, 2025. (Photo via X)
Celtic fans staged a large-scale protest against Israel during their Champions League play-off match against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
The demonstration, led by the club’s ultra group Green Brigade, featured a massive banner reading “Show Israel the Red Card,” along with thousands of red sheets of paper held up by supporters in the stands.
The protest called for UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israel from international football, citing its actions in Palestine and Lebanon.
Green Brigade organizes protest against Israel during Champions League match
The Green Brigade, a well-known Celtic supporter group, organized the protest, distributing flyers urging fans to take part.
At the start of the 2nd half, please SHOW ‘ISRAEL’ THE RED CARD to send a direct message to UEFA and FIFA to apply their respective statutes and suspend ‘Israel’ from competition.
By doing so, you will not only be doing the right thing but you will be joining football fans of conscience and courage around the worlds who will be adopting the same message.
‘Israel’ is committing genocide and ethnic cleansing; it is practicing apartheid; and it is illegally occupying Palestinian territory. All of this in in breach of international law.
In 15 months, ‘Israel’ has murdered at least 382 Palestinnian footballers and at least 235 other sports people. Of these numbers, at least 96 are children and at least 286 are youths. ‘Israel has destroyed 147 football facilities and 140 other sports facilities across all of Palestine.’Israel’ has prevented football and other sports from being played across all of Palestine.
These crimes have no place in our beautiful game.
Thank you. Green Brigade.
The flyer read
During halftime, the large banner with the message “Show Israel the Red Card” was unfurled in the North Curve section of Celtic Park. Fans in that area held up red cards to amplify the message. A Palestinian flag was also prominently displayed.
UEFA considers disciplinary action after protest by Celtic fans
UEFA’s regulations prohibit political messages at football matches, and the governing body has fined Celtic multiple times for similar incidents in the past.
Most recently, the club was fined $18,300 for fans displaying Palestinian flags during a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid in 2023.
Celtic could now face another financial penalty for Wednesday’s protest. UEFA’s control, ethics, and disciplinary committee will review reports from the match and decide on possible sanctions. According to UEFA’s Article 45.01, clubs must prevent spectators from engaging in provocative actions, including displaying political banners or flags inside stadiums.
Celtic has previously been sanctioned for political displays, including an anti-monarchy banner in 2022 and a Palestinian flag display during a 2017 Champions League qualifier against Israeli club Hapoel Beer Sheva.
Political tensions between Celtic and Rangers reflect broader divisions
Celtic fans have frequently demonstrated support for Palestine at matches, incorporating Palestinian flags and banners into their matchday atmosphere. Their rivals, Rangers, have responded in the past by displaying Israeli flags, adding to the political undertones of the rivalry between the two Glasgow clubs.
The controversy surrounding Wednesday’s protest comes amid broader discussions in football regarding political activism. Supporters pointed to UEFA’s ban on Russian teams following the country’s invasion of Ukraine as a precedent for excluding Israel. However, UEFA has not indicated any plans to suspend Israel from competitions.
