Many Celtic fans are fuming over a questionable decision by UEFA to fine the Hoops over a late kick-off against FC Copenhagen.
Celtic was just recently fined €15,000 for their part in a late kick-off during their match against FC Copenhagen in Denmark a few months ago. The match was part of the Round of 32 in the Europa League, and as such, the stage was just that much bigger.
On top of that, Hoops manager Neil Lennon was censured for his role in the delayed kick-off as Celtic was found to be at fault. As we here at The Celtic Bhoys mentioned in a our previous article covering the situation, the timing and decision by UEFA to fine the Hoops during the novel coronavirus crisis is tone-deaf at best.
Apparently we were not the only ones that thought UEFA’s decision to fine a club during a global pandemic was unacceptable, but numerous other Celtic fans seem to think so as well. Legions of Hoops fans took to social media to express their displeasure and confusion over the levied fines:
The audacity for @UEFA to be handing out fines at a time like this, that’s just pathetic.
— David Anthony (@a_miller16) March 31, 2020
Sorry UEFA but you are a complete embarrassment. We have a world crisis on our hands players are taking pay cuts and you just want to grab as much money as you can . Get real !
— Jim Kerr (@Jim_K1956) March 31, 2020
I wish the rest of Europe football would break away from the UEFA and make own competitions. Must be making millions each season on fines alone. Just as bad as FIFA. Greedy and Corrupt! 😡
— John F 🍀 (@johnf2008) March 31, 2020
It remains unclear why the Hoops were late to get the match started, with some speculating it was due to players taking too long to get ready. The delay was reportedly two minutes, and as such, it seems as if that would fall on the referees to get the match started on time.
In any case, the fact that UEFA levied these fines, for this infraction at this point of time, is beyond unacceptable. Clubs are already struggling as it is and this will just add to that.