Brendan Rodgers has issued a strong message to a section of Celtic supporters who continue to use pyrotechnics at games, following a UEFA fine and the threat of a one-match ban on travelling fans.
The club were penalised after pyrotechnics were let off during their first away Champions League clash of the season against Borussia Dortmund, putting the loyal travelling support at risk of being banned from future European fixtures.
Rodgers expressed his frustration, saying the club doesn’t need pyrotechnics to enhance the atmosphere, given the incredible support they receive both home and away.
He stressed that long-time supporters, who have followed the team across the globe, should not be punished for the actions of a few.
He said: “We don’t need the pyrotechnics for a great support.
“The support that we get home and away in games is absolutely incredible, and we can’t let that type of behaviour dictate whether fans can be in the position of not attending a game.
“It’s not fair, and it’s not right. People who have followed Celtic home and away for years should never be getting banned, and like I said, it’s not something that we need.
“We’re not a club that needs that to ignite out support base.
“What we bring to a stadium in colour and noise is amazing. I hope that this ends that because, like I said, it wouldn’t be right for any of our supporters to miss a game.
“We can’t afford for that to happen, and if it does, it’s totally on a minority of our support. It’s as simple as that.
“It’s nothing to do with football, and if you do keep doing it, you show that you don’t really care for the team, the support or the club.”
🔊 LISTEN: “If you keep doing it you’re showing you don’t really care for the club.”
🍀 Brendan Rodgers is calling for Celtic fans to stop using pyrotechnics after the club were fined and given a suspended ban by UEFA. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/GV12J7up4h
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) October 18, 2024
Hopefully, UEFA’s warning to the Celtic fan base will see an end to pyro at matches.
Celtic fans are great and are always praised on their travels around Europe; it would be a shame that a minority’s actions could see an end to this for at least one match.
The Hoops travel to Atalanta next week to face the Europa League winners in their third Champions League match. Hopefully, we can see some adherence to UEFA’s anti-pyro rules, so that fans who have booked up Zagreb don’t miss out.
