Celtic Football Club is facing a potential ban on its fans for the upcoming Champions League play-off against Bayern Munich, scheduled to take place in Germany. This disciplinary action stems from an incident involving a Celtic supporter who threw a green smoke canister onto the pitch during a match against Aston Villa. UEFA's ruling may prevent genuine fans from traveling to support their team during this critical fixture, which could have significant implications for the club's success in the tournament.
The potential ban comes at a time when Celtic is already under scrutiny due to a suspended ban for away supporters, a consequence of previous fines related to the use of pyrotechnics by fans. The club has alerted its supporters to be mindful of this situation while planning travel arrangements to Germany for the match, urging them to remain cautious as they book flights and accommodations.
Celtic's journey in the Champions League hinges on overcoming Vincent Kompany's side over two legs. If they are successful, they would advance to the last 16, where they could face either Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid. The stakes are high, and the absence of fans could dampen the atmosphere at such a pivotal match.
Brendan Rodgers, Celtic's manager, expressed his concern regarding the possible ban, stating that he is "hoping and praying" for a favorable outcome. He emphasized the significance of the fans, stating, "Our genuine Celtic supporters that are bonded with our club, it's the last thing they want to hear. Guys and people that travel for years and years worldwide, home and away."
Rodgers acknowledged that the club's current predicament was foreseeable. "For me, that always looked like that was going to be the summer," he remarked, referring to the ongoing challenges faced by Celtic regarding fan conduct. He added, "That is not what we would want. However, it's been a culmination of things that have come our way as a club."
Looking ahead, Celtic's immediate focus will be on their domestic match against Motherwell on Sunday, where new signing Jota is expected to make his second debut. Despite uncertainty surrounding other transfer dealings, Rodgers remains optimistic about bolstering his squad before the transfer deadline on Monday. However, he has tempered expectations regarding a potential return of Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney, indicating that such a move is unlikely this season.
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