Linfield pursue redress from fans after Celtic disturbances

Linfield are to pursue financial redress from fans after being fined £8,971 by UEFA and ordered to close a section of Windsor Park following crowd disturbances during the club's Champions League qualifier against Celtic in Belfast last Friday.

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths shows the referee an empty bottle of Buckfast after it was thrown at him. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Leigh Griffiths was showered with objects when attempting to take a corner during Celtic’s 2-0 win, a bottle of Buckfast narrowly missing the striker. Fans were then held back by Police Service of Northern Ireland as they attempted to enter the pitch when Griffiths tied a Celtic scarf around one of the Windsor Park posts.

Both incidents brought about charge from UEFA.

The club have issued a statement stating they will be working with the PSNI over antisocial behaviour by a small pocket of home fans.

“Linfield FC shares the frustration of the vast majority of our many loyal and genuine supporters who have been rightly appalled by this negative and unwelcome behaviour and the punitive sanction it has attracted,” said the statement.

“The club is cooperating fully with the PSNI over possible prosecutions and will seek financial redress from any identified individuals through the civil courts.”

Griffiths will miss the club’s first-leg qualifier against Rosenborg after being charged for “provoking supporters”, with Celtic being fined £4,037 for an improper conduct charge which was automatically triggered when they received five yellow cards in the game.