Celtic have been hit with a substantial €27,000 fine (approximately £22,500) by UEFA following two incidents during their recent Champions League victory over RB Leipzig. The governing body handed down the sanctions for blocking public passageways and a pitch invasion at Celtic Park.
The Hoops were fined €12,000 for the obstruction of passageways in the stands and an additional €15,000 after a young fan entered the field of play late in the match. The incident involving the fan drew criticism from many supporters in the stands, and it ultimately left the club out of pocket as UEFA cracked down on the breach of regulations. The young lad clearly taking his moment.
This latest penalty pushes Celtic’s overall fine tally under UEFA jurisdiction to an eye-watering £200,000 over the past two seasons, highlighting the financial burden such incidents continue to impose.
Additional Warning from UEFA
Celtic also received a warning from UEFA related to their recent 2-2 draw against Atalanta in Bergamo. The warning centred on a late kick-off, which UEFA attributed to delays involving both the team and manager Brendan Rodgers.
In their official statement, UEFA detailed the sanctions, specifying:
“Celtic FC Incidents and sanction. Blocking of public passageways, Art. 38 UEFA Safety and Security Regulations. Fine: €12,000.
“Invasion of the field of play, Art. 16(2)(a) DR. Fine: €15,000.”
A Growing Concern
The recurring fines serve as a stark reminder of the importance of compliance with UEFA regulations, particularly with the Champions League spotlight firmly on Celtic. While the pitch invasion incident may seem minor, the financial repercussions continue to roll in.
It has to be pointed out that Celtic earned over €2.1m for their win against Leipzig on the same night.
