Due to the rivalry with the royal family, Celtic fans, from Scotland, carried banners in protest of the British crown in Wednesday’s game (14/9), against Shakhtar, for the Champions League. However, the incident could lead to punishment for Celtic: UEFA has opened disciplinary measures against the Scottish club.
The slogan for the fans was “F*** the Crown”. Additionally, there are reports of Celtic fans chanting, “If you hate the royal family, clap your hands.”
It is worth noting that the Rangers, opponents of Celtic, expressed themselves in a different way, paying tribute to Elizabeth II, who died on September 8.
The club prepared a mosaic board and, in breach of UEFA’s protocol banning the national anthem, sang the British anthem in the match against Napoli for the Champions League, which the Italians won 3-0.
Greetings from Rangers fans to Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/YmKsPY7F3b
– B24 (@B24PT) September 14, 2022
Rangers fans salute Queen Elizabeth II in the match against Napoli. When UEFA refused the British teams’ request to play the UK national anthem (God Save the Queen), fans decided to sing themselves. pic.twitter.com/9aXaQrmkLe
– Rhythm de Torcida (ritmodetorcida) September 14, 2022
Rivalry and relationship with kings
Celtic and Rangers, in addition to starring in one of the world’s biggest competitions on the field, also take the competition off the field and the relationship with the royal family is one reason.
Rangers is an older club and has ties to Protestants, conservatives supporting the union between Scotland and the United Kingdom, being loyal to the monarchy and to the image of Elizabeth II.
On the other hand, Celtic has Irish roots and its association with the Catholic and progressive side of the country, where most of its fans are separatist. In addition, they support the independence of the country, and the unification of Ireland, being against the monarchs.
With Irish/Catholic connections, Celtic rioters drew a “homage” to Queen Elizabeth II. However, opponents of the Rangers, with British/Protestant connections, trampled on rival graffiti “in honor” of the Pope.
Celtic x Rangers derby and their amazing rivalry… pic.twitter.com/MY6qJpEv7r
– Rhythm de Torcida (ritmodetorcida) September 9, 2022
