Jerusalem – Israeli Police On Alert Ahead Of Celtic Match

    0

    Beer Sheva fans hold Israeli national flags during the UEFA Champions League qualification playoff round second leg match between Hapoel Beer Sheva and Celtic at Turner Stadium in Beer Sheva, Israel, 23 August 2016. EPAJerusalem – Israeli police are on high alert ahead of a match between Celtic and Hapoel Beer Sheva after fans of the Scottish champions waved Palestinian flags at their last meeting.

    Join our WhatsApp group

    Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


    Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says hundreds of police will be deployed in and around the stadium for the Champions League playoff match to “ensure that it is a sport event and not a political event,” and that flags will be removed if necessary.

    Political banners and protests are banned at matches organized by UEFA, European football’s governing body.

    On Monday, UEFA charged Celtic over fans displaying Palestinian flags at the first leg of the playoff against the Israeli team last week. Celtic fans often wave Palestinian flags at matches but many more were seen during that match.

    A group of Celtic fans, called the “Green Brigade,” has raised more than 120,000 pounds ($160,000) in two days for two Palestinian charities after launching an appeal on a crowdfunding website. The initial aim was to raise 75,000 pounds ($100,000), the amount that Celtic fans fear their club could be fined by UEFA.

    Organizers of the (hashtag)matchthefineforpalestine appeal said they were “determined to make a positive contribution to the game.”

    The team that advances after Tuesday’s game goes into the elite 32-team group stage.


    Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

    iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

    Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


    Connect with VINnews

    Join our WhatsApp group