Celtic manager Neil Lennon is worried that the club’s UEFA charges will dent the reputation of the Hoops.
Celtic were charged for the third time by UEFA this season just 24 hours ago. This was due to both “illicit chants” and “illicit banners” sung and displayed during the Europa League win against Lazio (BBC).
The Hoops had also been fined for charges in their matches against AIK and Cluj respectively. Not all supporters were on board with UEFA’s decision for the most recent one, however.
But Lennon isn’t interested. Speaking to Sportsound post-match last night, Lenny wasn’t pleased with yet another penalty being inflicted by European football’s governing body.
“It’s accumulating and it’s not doing the reputation of the club any good. If fans are going out there next week, I hope they come back safe and be careful.
“Because there seems to be a build-up of animosity between both sets of fans, certainly not both the clubs, over the last couple of days.
“We just want them to enjoy the occasion, hopefully see us put on a good performance and get back to Glasgow safe and sound.”
UEFA’s charge on Celtic this time around seems harsh
Lenny of course makes a good point about the charges accumulating. The last thing anyone wants is a stadium ban being put into place at some point down the line.
But UEFA’s charging of the illicit chants was poor stuff. Celtic fans were fighting against fascist views with their chanting against Lazio and their supporters. It’s important to remember that this was in response to the Italian side’s supporters strutting down Glasgow waving Nazi salutes (Sky News).
Celtic fans had a right to be furious with the opposition. Would it have been better to let things be and not bring Celtic into it? Perhaps, but you would like to think the club would defend what their supporters were against.
That’s rarely been the case when it comes to Celtic and UEFA, however. As a club, we generally seem to bow down to their authority over trying to fight the fans’ case.
More often than not, Celtic are right to do so. But this is a different matter. The bans and chants by the Celtic support have to be put in context.
UEFA can’t turn around and say that there’s no longer to be swearing at football grounds. A lot worse happens in football than what was heard last week. In fact, a lot worse happens elsewhere in Scotland alone…
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