KEY POINTS

  • Celtic fans raised nearly £90,000 for Palestinian charity after being fined by Uefa.
  • Green Brigade launched campaign to #matchthefineforpalestine.
  • About 250 Celtic fans will attend Champions League qualifier vs Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

Celtic fans will be closely watched by police in Israel on Tuesday night (23 August) to avoid a repeat of scenes at last week's Champions League qualifier against Hapoel Be'er Sheva. The Scottish champions face a Uefa fine after dozens of Palestinian flags were waved at Celtic Park during their 5-2 victory against the Israelis.

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About 250 Celtic fans are expected to be at the Turner Stadium this evening for the return leg where police will confiscate any flags that are "that are of a political, ideological, religious, offensive or provocative nature."

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP: "Obviously it won't be allowed – that is for sure. The flags would of course be taken off them...Police units will respond in order to ensure that the game will be a professional game and not a political one."

The warning comes after Celtic's Green Brigade – the club's division of ultras – raised more than £90,000 for two Palestinian organisations. The fans launched the fundraising drive in response to Uefa's "petty and politically partisan act" in censuring the Scottish giants.

"We, the Green Brigade, are the passionate Ultra fans of Celtic Football Club, Scotland's most famous and successful football team," a statement said. "At the Champions League match with Hapoel Beer Sheva on 17 August 2016, the Green Brigade and fans throughout Celtic Park flew the flag for Palestine.

"This act of solidarity has earned our club respect and acclaim throughout the world. It has also attracted a disciplinary charge from Uefa, which deems the Palestinian flag to be an 'illicit banner'."

Using #matchthefineforpalestine, the fans said the money would be split between the Medical Aid Palestine (MAP) and the Lajee Centre, a Palestinian cultural centre in Aida Refugee Camp. In response to the gesture, the Lajee Centre uploaded a video thanking Celtic for their efforts.