Celtic warn support of risk of stadium ban in Munich due to Villa Park pyros

The Celtic Star

·31 Januari 2025

Celtic warn support of risk of stadium ban in Munich due to Villa Park pyros

Celtic today released an ‘Important Note to Supporters’ warning fans of the likely consequences of the flare incident at Villa Park on Wednesday night and cautioned against booking flights and accommodation to be in Munich for the second leg of the Champions League play-off against Bayern Munich…

Stewards remove a green flare off the pitch during the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa and Celtic at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Celtic’s first play-off tie in Champions League in 13 years

It’s Celtic’s first Champions League play-off tie in 13 years and also Brendan Rodgers’ first as Celtic manager, yet despite playing in Bayern’s magnificent arena where a sizeable away support is always accommodated, it is a real possibility, more like a probability that UEFA will show that they very were serious about their previous final warning and will ban Celtic supporters from the game.

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Celtic has a chance of taking a lead to Munich and if that happens the backing of the travelling support would be helpful to say the least. Yet one person decided to risk all that, just as one did in 1984 when a bottle was thrown from the Jungle onto the pitch just as Celtic had turned around the tie with Rapid Vienna. Our very good chances of winning the Cup Winners Cup were taken from us by one idiot in the crowd.

Rapid Vienna were 3-0 down and heading out of Cup Winners Cup when a bottle was thrown from the Jungle. It didn’t hit the cheat but he pretended it did. Photo The Celtic Wiki

A review of away ticket distribution is needed

It really is time that Celtic has a look at the way away tickets are distributed and who gets them and why they get them, not just for European games either. At least the wider support is entitled to have their say on this closed shop that lacks transparency and fairness and is now likely to deny thousands of supporters the chance to go to the game in Munich.

Celtic v BSC Young Boys, view of Paradise from the sky. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Here’s the ‘Important Note to Supporters’ from Celtic…

“As a result of the use of pyrotechnics during our match against Borussia Dortmund last year, Celtic Football Club was sanctioned by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body. The decision meant that, not only did the Club receive a fine of €20,000, but also that, if such behaviour was repeated at a match in the next two years, the Club would be prevented from selling tickets to supporters for one away match in UEFA club competitions. “Unfortunately, the club has received a further disciplinary notice from UEFA following the match against Aston Villa FC on Wednesday evening. The Club will obviously make robust representations to UEFA and will make every effort to ensure that our fans can attend our next UEFA Champions League match. “However, clearly there is a risk that supporters may not be able to attend. In light of this situation, it is incumbent on the club to make supporters aware of this risk, when considering making arrangements for travel, until further information is provided by UEFA.”