Celtic cleared by SFA over ‘zombie’ banner at Norwich match

CELTIC have been found not guilty by the Scottish Football Association on all four charges relating to an alleged offensive banner displayed by fans

during a pre-season friendly against Norwich City at Parkhead.

• SFA drop charges over banner at Norwich game

• Banner mocked the liquidation of Old Firm rivals Rangers

The SFA issued a notice of complaint alleging four rule breaches over the banner relating to Rangers, which appeared in the Celtic support in the 24 July contest in Glasgow.

The controversial banner in question is understood to have featured a gunman shooting a zombie-like figure next to a gravestone with a Rangers crest on it, as supporters mocked the impending liquidation of the Ibrox club.

The SFA charges alleged Celtic had fallen foul of the rules by failing to prevent supporters from bringing the banner into the ground and displaying it. The club were also accused of failing to deal effectively with an instance of unacceptable conduct “by allowing spectators to retain possession of the banner after it had been initially displayed, which allowed them to display the banner on a second occasion during the above match”.

However, the SFA yesterday cleared the Parkhead club of all four charges relating to rules 26, 28, 31 and 32.

A Celtic spokesperson told the club’s official website: “Celtic Football Club opposes all forms of offensive behaviour and unacceptable conduct and our supporters are well aware of what is expected in this regard.

“We are surprised and disappointed that after providing a significant volume of evidence and information about our safety procedures, that today’s hearing was actually necessary.

“In addition to dropping several charges in advance of the hearing, the SFA’s Judicial Panel also accepted that Celtic had not breached any SFA rules.”