A member of the Scottish Parliament has issued an Early Day Motion in defence of Celtic’s breach of UEFA rules prohibiting Palestinian flags. 

A large section of Celtic supporters provocatively flew Palestinian flags at the start of Wednesday’s Champions League qualifying tie against Israel’s Hapoel Beer Sheva, defying warnings from UEFA and police prior to the game.

Ross Greer MSP of the Scottish Green Party lodged the motion calling for Parliament to note that the demo was a legitimate expression of solidarity.

Motion Celtic

It is the ninth time in just five years the Glasgow side have been in trouble with European football body UEFA, which forbids political expressions at games.Police Scotland earlier this week urged fans not to make a statement in the first-leg playoff on Wednesday night and warned them they faced being arrested.

UEFA’s disciplinary regulations state: “All associations and clubs are liable for the following inappropriate behaviour on the part of their supporters and may be subject to disciplinary measures and directives even if they can prove the absence of any negligence in relation to the organisation of the match.

“The use of gestures, words, objects or any other means to transmit any message that is not fit for a sports event, particularly messages that are of a political, ideological, religious, offensive or provocative nature.”

See also: CUFI calls for banning of Celtic’s anti-Israel “ultra” group

Christians United for Israel UK