Uefa is set to change its policy on political banners in stadiums, following a long-running battle with Barcelona over the display of Catalan independence flags. The governing body's decision could mark a significant shift in how it handles fan protests and political statements.
The move comes after Celtic were repeatedly fined for displaying banners deemed political. The Scottish champions have been penalised nine times in five years, including an £8,619 fine in September for Palestinian flags during a match against Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva. Previous fines included £15,900 for a Palestinian flag in a Champions League qualifier and £42,000 in 2013 for banners depicting Bobby Sands and William Wallace.
Barcelona were preparing to take Uefa to the European Court of Arbitration for Sport to appeal fines over the Estelada flags flown by their fans. In return for Barcelona dropping the case, Uefa agreed to review its rules.
A Uefa statement said: “We recognise that rules across international football which bar political statements are not set in stone. They can, and should, evolve to reflect the nature of the society in which we live, where freedom of expression is generally a value to be supported and cherished.”
