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.
Advertisement
Celtic were fined about £16,000 two years ago after a Palestine flag was displayed at a Champions League qualifier against KR Reykjavik.
The governing body has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Scottish champions.
What channel is showing Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Celtic?
Hundreds of supporters took part in demonstrations outside Celtic Park before the club’s Champions League play-off tie with Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva last Wednesday, before flying the national flag of Palestine inside the ground.
While seemingly very compatible with UEFA’s wish for peace, reconciliation and football for all, the protest’s political edge triggered an inevitable response from the governing body’s ethics committee. The team will play in the Bethlehem Youth League at the start of 2017 and will host a tournament for teams from all of the West Bank’s refugee camps in spring next year.
On Monday, UEFA charged Celtic over fans displaying Palestinian flags at the first leg of the playoff against the Israeli team last week.
Celtic are fined £12,700 by UEFA after fans make pro-IRA chants during a Europa League clash with Rennes in Glasgow.
Celtic supporters club the Green Brigade established the crowdfund, calling initially for £15,000, the amount of a previous fine enforced on Celtic by Uefa, pledging that the crowdfund would grow if an expected Uefa fine proved to be higher.
Celtic had looked to be cruising past Hapoel as they roared into a 3-0 half-time lead at Celtic Park, only for the visitors to heighten the tension among the home fans by scoring twice in the space of three second-half minutes.
‘It is not illegal to have a Palestinian flag in Israel but provocation by fans of either side is and we will not tolerate it. Celtic’s fans have demonstrated an unprecedented act of solidarity with the people of Palestine, and it is going viral.
Advertisement
“But what I know is that these are incredible supporters that back the team and we want to do the club proud and them proud”.
