GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Celtic fans banner during a UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and SK Slovan Bratislava at Celtic Park, on September 18, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Today, we found out that we’re not going to face any kind of sanction for the pro-Palestinian banners that went up at the last Champions League home game. Now, I say pro-Palestinian banners, but let me correct that—anti-Israeli banners. But that amounts to the same thing. UEFA’s stance on this is a little unusual because their decision not to sanction us may indicate a shift in policy.
Now, this is not a change in policy that UEFA is going to announce in advance. It’s not one they’ll trumpet from the rooftops or broadcast publicly. In fact, they’d probably rather not highlight it at all. And yet, a policy change can happen in practice without ever being formally declared.
Because, fundamentally, what is a regulation in football? It’s a rule that everyone must follow and for which there are consequences if disobeyed. If someone in a position of authority decides that certain violations will no longer be punished, then they are effectively legitimising something—without ever rewriting the rulebook.
I wrote a piece on the banners themselves, which was essentially about UEFA’s inherent contradictions. I said that if we were sanctioned, it would show that the organisation was guilty not only of hypocrisy but of moral cowardice.
I still expected us to be punished. But maybe UEFA isn’t quite as morally bankrupt as we thought. It would cause them significant problems to announce that protests against Israel will no longer result in fines or sanctions.
They can do that quietly, without exposing themselves to the risks inherent in such a dramatic U-turn. I think there are people in UEFA who recognise the hypocrisy at the heart of this. I think some of them probably believe that Israel should be sanctioned in the same way Russia was. In short, I think there are those within UEFA who would welcome a resolution that suspended Israel, at least until its present government is out of power or has faced the full weight of international justice.
And things will only become more untenable for Israel’s position if its government continues down the path it’s currently on. The Trump administration’s rhetoric is emboldening them to push further, to do more that contravenes international law. The idea of wiping out Gaza’s settlements completely and forbidding its people from returning is loathsome. It is a gross violation of the UN Charter, and yet there are prominent people around both the US and Israeli governments who are pushing for just such a course of action.
If Israel pursues that policy or anything resembling ethnic cleansing, what choices does UEFA have left? Israel’s position in UEFA is already farcical. They are not a European nation. The only reason they don’t play in their own region is that most of their neighbours refuse to face them. Their games have been met with protests across Europe, whether club or international fixtures. That situation will not change as long as the same people run the show over there.
Netanyahu is a war criminal.
I have no hesitation in saying that, because the UN criminal court says he is. His own words confirm it. The statements from his ministers confirm it. The destruction of Gaza confirms it. If this were happening in the African confederation within FIFA, and a country was massacring people, that nation would be swiftly banned.
We know this because, the moment Russia invaded Ukraine, they were banned. It is no longer tenable for UEFA to pretend that these situations are not comparable. It’s not just Gaza that has been invaded, but Lebanon too.
And there’s only so far that the self-defence argument can stretch. Russia has tried to use the same justification. While there are crucial differences in the details, even in US states with “stand your ground” laws, you can’t shoot someone when they’re already on the ground. Self-defence has its limits. Cross that line, and it becomes aggression—something that is usually punished by law.
Some European federations, like Turkey’s, don’t want to play Israeli teams and may refuse to do so. They might deny Israeli players visas. Arab footballers across Europe have openly expressed opposition to playing against Israeli clubs. And Israeli teams have been protested against everywhere they have gone.
Perhaps UEFA has realised that they cannot sanction everyone. Their position was untenable. It risked becoming a source of deep embarrassment. If they have quietly shelved their stance on this, then it’s long overdue.
But they can’t run away from this debate forever. As I wrote in my piece about those banners, the wider conversation will need to happen. Should Israel be treated as a rogue state if it is blatantly behaving like one? And it doesn’t matter that they have the support of the US President—because he’s about as popular in much of Europe as an English Brexiteer.
The sands shifted the moment the UN court charged Netanyahu and his ministers with war crimes. That was the moment this debate truly came to life, whether UEFA likes it or not. Sooner or later—and I think sooner—they are going to have to engage with it.
Maybe this decision is a foreshadowing of that.
Maybe UEFA looking the other way on those banners, allowing that latitude—something that will undoubtedly inspire similar protests at other clubs—signals the start of a much bigger conversation. Galatasaray fans have already sent Celtic a message of solidarity. And this may be a step towards the tougher decision UEFA will eventually have to make: what to do with Israel’s national team and its clubs.
Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images
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Well said James, hypocrisy by UEFA is so obvious. Taking the knee is political, The boycott of South Africa was political, the banning of The Soviet Union after invading Afghanistan in 1979 was political, even the fact of Israel playing in European Tournaments is political, and finally the banning of Russia after invading Ukraine is political.
Demonstrations by football fans or any other section of the population about any subject is okay by me as long as it’s peaceful.
Being aware of the disgraceful way the Palestinians have been treated by Israel with the backing of the USA, Britain, France and Germany since 1947 has been shameful and is still happening.
As a teenager in 1960 I heard an old Palestinian being interviewed, he stated that his people were paying the price for the sins of Nazi Germany and the World’s conscience.
This stayed with me as I’ve watched the injustice visited upon the people of Palestine for most of my life.
Let me state I don’t support Hamas or any religious fundamentalists, whether Islamic, Christian, Jewish or Hindu.
Hey MicMac! Long time no talk since I think a week ago haha. Like we discussed last week I think you and I both want the land shared or at least mutual respect between the two sides. The question that I have for you then is if that’s the goal then what do we do about Hamas? I identify politically progressive/liberal and so I swim in those circles and I have lots of discussions with the pro Palestinian movement and I never get a real answer about that. If the war is aggression on Israel’s part for working to eliminate Hamas than what do you think is a more humane or suitable idea to put pressure on Hamas to longer govern Gaza for a future Palestinian state? I’ll be honest I don’t have an idea.
Robbie people like us know there is only one answer to any conflict and that is compromise. There has to be a willingness on this from both sides of any conflict, and sadly that has never been the case from any of the sides in this case.
What to do with Hamas? sadly like you I don’t know, maybe the weakness of the position they are in will bring realism to their leadership, and maybe sometime in the future the Israeli people will elect a government that will use their position as the most powerful military power in the region to be a bit more magnanimous in their negotiations
Sadly in the 1970’s under President Jimmy Carter it looked as if America had got the two sides to strike a deal , but unfortunately the zealots on both sides destroyed any chance of that.
The situation at the moment is dire and in the short term will probably get worse, Hamas have brought great suffering to the Palestinian people with their dastardly attack on peaceful Israelis on Oct 7th, and extreme elements in the Israeli government are taking the chance to impose themselves on what’s left of Palestinian land.
I can assure you Robbie there is no way that I, and I’m sure the vast majority of Celtic supporters are anti Jewish, and I know there are many Jewish people throughout the World and in Israel who want a two state solution.
The Liberal/Progressive people of the World just have to soldier on at this time, in the midst of a lurch to the extreme right throughout the World. Good to have this conversation. Shalom and YNWA.
Well said MicMac and I know this isn’t the best platform to have a deep dive into such a nuanced topic but I really enjoyed and respect your views. Personally I’ve never been in the military and I’ve hardly held a gun (shocking for an American I know, jokes aside!) so I don’t know if the military operation in Gaza is the only way to knock Hamas off its perch. But it’s a hell of a price to pay for the citizens that seemingly have no refuge and like I think all of us feel should be called into question. Honestly? I’m not even sure I’m for a two state-I’m open to any idea where all peoples there can have their aspirations fulfilled and dignity all around. Nice to talk to you again and Shalom!
It isn’t just Galatasary making anti-Israel noises, I read an article the other day and there a lot of fans at various clubs all echoing the Red card for Israel mantra. I said last week after the BG unveiled their banner that I hoped it gained traction and that others followed suit and that is exactly what has happened. UEFA will be aware of this and they know that they cannot fight what is becoming a resistance movement. Well done the Green Brigade.
Apparently Ceferin is all in favour of free speech these days, from the Guardian –
The president of Uefa, Aleksander Ceferin, has made an outspoken intervention in European politics, claiming “freedom of speech no longer exists” and “we are all fed up of political correctness”.
In a wide-ranging series of remarks Ceferin attacked European politicians over their handling of the Ukraine war and for “preaching to the world”. He even joked that the only “great thing” the EU has done is to mandate that bottle tops should not be detachable.
I don’t know enough about this conflicts save for a distressing two minute hourly news bulliten on The Radio when there is headlines from there…
But it looks like Celtic supporters favour Palestinian oppression and Sevco fans favour Israeli aggression –
But I’m just glad that Celtic haven’t suffered penalties in Europe because of it !
Palestine is being oppressed but there’s a context there that often gets left out. And gosh I hope Rangers aren’t Israel supporters. There’s no real ties there between more Conservative Scots or Northern Irish Unionists outside of taking a conflict from a different region and using it to fit one’s narrative-kinda like the Green Brigade are between Irish Republicanism, the Provos, and the old PLO.
Maybe it’s because The Palestine Flag has green in it and The Israeli One has blue in it…
It has absolutely nothing to do with The Island of Ireland Robbie as far as I see but I seen many Palestine flags fluttering on lampposts in Republican areas of Belfast and Israeli ones fluttering on lampposts in areas of a Butchers Apron persuasion?…
Flag manufacturers must make a fortune over in Ireland especially in The Butchers Apron areas and many picturesque small villages and hamlets are ruined by them becoming tattered and unkempt…
I’m not sure if that’s the way in Palestine and Israeli because as I stated I don’t know enough about the conflict but it’s disturbing to sometimes hear Radio news reports amongst my music channels and I hope they can find a pathway to resolving their issues sooner rather than later !
Amen brotha! Would love to see peace over in that part of the world. Also sorry it ruins your music listening! That’s out of pocket in my opinion haha the radio shouldn’t be interrupting your music enjoyment haha!
There’s a lot to unpack here and James I applaud you for writing this article. At the end of the day, I disagree w/the GB’s banners as a Jewish person because the group wants a single Palestinian state. Based on their banners, statements on social media and flags being waved I know that’s where they stand. It’s why they made a banner with Israel in quotations, it’s why last week in Munich they held up a similar banner but replaced the word ‘Israel’ with Zionism. It’s why there’s always so much smoke surrounding Celtic Football Club with some in the media and across the Jewish world accusing the clubs supporters of being Antisemitic. The reality is when there’s a club in Scotland with roots from the Irish Catholic diaspora that’s going to natural bring up questions about why so many of the supporters so LOUDLY support the Palestinians. I know why many do and I’m cool with it. I also want Palestinians to have their own freedom and to be free to govern themselves but it won’t come at the cost of Israel for me. There needs to be the ability to share the land and respect one another-But for me I view many Celtic supporters (not all of course) and the Green Brigade as a full throated mouthpiece of one Palestine and frankly based on all the wars fought over the years, for the most part that’s not any better than any of my fellow Jews I disagree with on the political right in regards to a solution.
Just read ur post and maybe if others shared similar views of respect and understanding then could be peace…its ironic that the place where millions of people believe sacred and the basis for religions that teach peace and understanding is so violent…after hundreds if not thousands of years of fighting you would think ppl would realise fighting is not the answer and maybe try something else…Re Green brigade I honestly think ur wrong that they are advocating single Palestinian state and no Israel?
I’m reticent to opine on this here since it’s a football forum but I love Robbie’s post. Netanyahu is a war criminal and the support of Palastine isn’t anti-Jew, it’s against illegal occupation and against a further expansion of Israel. UEFA have turned a blind eye in my opinion, because the sentiment has been echoed across many clubs and it can’t sanction them all. It’s not about religion, it’s a land grab. Love and respect to Robbie whether he agrees with me or not.
Shout out to you Brattbakk! You know it’s funny and James I hope you read this comment but there’s always so many accusations of Celtic supporters being this or that-of being anti Jewish or antisemitic or whatever. I’m sure that’s the case for some supporters but that’s going to be the case in all walks of life. Every conversation on this platform or in real life that I’ve had being a Jewish Celtic supporter whether we agree or not has been respectful and I appreciate all you guys for that because this conflict is a tough conversation to have!
Mabe people should watch these before making judgements.
Son of Hamas Co-Founder Denounces Group at UN, Exposes ‘Savage’ Indoctrination of Palestinian Kids – YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLiBhRnDVl8.
Just copy and paste.
The Israeli government response to a horrific attack on innocent people at a festival has been to be even more horrific..its fuelled by wanting revenge…i understand anger must have felt but how can anyone think killing thousands, displacing people from their homes and reducing a country to rubble is right?…the Palestinian displays at games I support upto a point however with club previously getting sanctioned, Abada leaving, fellow fans who may not agree and what happens if club get Israeli team in europe?
I respect all celtic fans and everyone in general who is a decent person…what’s happening in Palestine as u said must be tough and would understand if feel marginalised with Palestinian displays etc but without going into politics a solution has to be found as current situation can’t go on as its the innocent people on both sides who suffer…I believe the support is aimed at government actions and not anyone’s faith…celtic is a family and we are all celtic…:)