UEFA fines Celtic for political messages

UEFA has fined Celtic E50,000 ($A77,000) after fans displayed a large political message before a Champions League game against AC Milan.


UEFA says the illicit banners breached its rules prohibiting political or religious statements at matches.
Celtic fans from the 'Green Brigade' group held up images of Scottish historical figure William "Braveheart" Wallace and Irish republican icon Bobby Sands, who died on a hunger strike in prison in 1981, at the November 26 match.
Other banners included slogans reading: "The terrorist or the dreamer? The savage or the brave?"
Celtic traditionally draws fans from Catholic communities in Scotland and Ireland.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell criticised the display as "clear disrespect for the club" and said it was a non-political organisation.