European football’s governing body said Celtic had been charged for displays of an “illicit banner”.
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The flags were displayed mostly in one corner of Celtic’s stadium during a 5-2 win against Hapoel Be’er Sheva in a playoff round, first-leg match on Wednesday.
The case was opened due to a UEFA rule that bans, “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”.
“The matter will be decided by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body when it meets on September 22, 2016”.
Before the start of the Champions League cup qualifier, activists from the group Palestine Alliance handed out flags and leaflets on the Nakba, or Catastrophe, the 1948 war that led to the creation of Israel and rendered millions of Palestinians refugees.
A Celtic crest has been projected on to a building in Palestine in light of the Hoops fans” recent show of “solidarity’.
Celtic fans display Palestinian flag during game with Hapoel Beer Sheva on August 17 in Glasgow.
Many Celtic fans have long identified with left-wing causes, among them the Palestinian struggle.
Celtic have already faced eight UEFA raps in the last five years – including a £13,000 fine for flying Palestinian flags at Murrayfield against KR Reykjavik in 2014 – and they are braced for more severe punishment this time around.
He said: “We are all very focused, the club deserves it, the fans deserve it, the players deserve it”.
The assistant manager is insistent there will be no complacency against Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
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The Scottish team will now play Hapoel Beer Sheva in Israel next Tuesday.
