Harian Padang-Celtic have apologised and launched an investigation after supporters at Parkhead unfurled a huge banner describing the remembrance poppy as ‘bloodstained’.
The Hoops have agreed to wear poppies on their shirts at St Mirren on Remembrance Sunday, which has caused fury among a section of the club’s fans.
During the 9-0 romp against Aberdeen on Saturday, supporters held a banner split into seven parts and covering a large section of supporters, which declared ‘no bloodstained poppies on our hoops’ and ‘your deeds would shame all the devils in Hell’.
Fury at fans: Celtic supporters with their banners of protest at the team wearing poppies on their shirts
The Scottish Premier League have launched their own investigation, with chief executive Neil Doncaster calling the act 'regrettable'.
Nonetheless, Celtic insisted it was the action of a ‘small minority’ amid a barrage of criticism.
The Glasgow club said in a statement: ‘The actions of this small minority have no place at Celtic Park. We are currently investigating the matter and, clearly, we apologise for any offence caused.’
Good cheer: Celtic's Gary Hooper hit a hat-trick in the 9-0 defeat of Aberdeen
Sportsmail has led a campaign for clubs to recognise Remembrance Day by wearing poppies embroided on their shirts. All clubs in the English and Scottish Premier Leagues have agreed to support the cause next weekend.
A section of Celtic supporters calling themselves the Green Brigade are reportedly organising a boycott of Sunday’s game at St Mirren and a statement on their website made reference to Bloody Sunday, the conflict in Iraq and the sinking of the Argentine warship the General Belgrano during the Falklands War.
Defending the protests, the statement says: ‘While we recognise the right of individuals to remember their dead and that many within the Celtic support will wear the poppy in memory of family and friends lost in WW2 and other conficts, we cannot accept the imposition of the poppy onto our shirts.’
The charity Poppy Scotland described the banner as 'disrespectful'.
Doncaster is also looking into the Edinburgh derby, in which players were pelted with coins and flares thrown on to the pitch during Hearts 2-0 win at Hibernian.
'It's clearly regrettable that a weekend of so much excitement on the pitch has been dominated by reporting of events off the pitch,' said Doncaster.
'We have invited comments from Celtic, Hibernian and Hearts on the back of the weekend's events and are awaiting the reports of the match delegates.
Contrast: Liverpool fans hold a banner with legendary boss Bob Paisley depicted wearing a poppy at Sunday's game against Chelsea
'We would welcome the fact that Celtic have moved quickly to apologise for any offence that has been caused.
'I would also point out that all 12 of the SPL clubs will be wearing poppies on their shirts next weekend in support of Poppy Scotland for the third year in a row.'
Doncaster would not be drawn over whether the banner did breach political rules but added: 'There have been a number of instances of inappropriate behaviour at games, these incidents do need to be investigated and they are going to be.'
Targetted: Hearts' Kevin Kyle flinches after being hit by an object at Hibernian's Easter Road
East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell told the Belfast Newsletter: ‘I think that Celtic Football Club have to confront the small number of fans who have engaged in the past in this type of totally unacceptable and outrageous behaviour.
‘Remembering that former Celtic players as well as Rangers players and those from other clubs have served in the Armed Forces with distinction, and that the chairman of Celtic, John Reid, is a former Secretary of State for Defence, they must be appalled, embarrassed and humiliated by this.
‘Celtic must lance this boil once and for all.’
Celtic have denied reports that they had banned the sale of poppies at Parkhead, pointing out they were available in the club superstore.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1327712/Celtic-apologise-fans-bloodstained-poppy-protest.html#ixzz14jrOFSOu
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