Minority ruin Parkhead's poignant tribute

On a day when football decided the best way to pay its respects to the victims of the Madrid atrocity was to play on in defiance of the terrorists, Barcelona’s much-anticipated visit to Glasgow had taken on a whole new perspective.

If there were still many reservations among the visiting camp over the virtue of UEFA’s edict that the UEFA Cup ties involving Spanish clubs would go ahead as planned, this most atmospheric of stadia nonetheless afforded an appropriate stage for a tribute to those who had lost their lives.

The Celtic PA announcer declared that the club’s adopted anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone would be dedicated to the Madrid victims. Seldom, if ever, has the sea of green and white scarves provided a more poignant backdrop to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s spinetingling standard as it was sung with genuine feeling by the home support.

Frank Rijkaard, the Barcelona coach, looked visibly moved and applauded the Celtic fans as the last notes hung in the air. Sadly, Rijkaard and the rest of his club’s officials then had cause to stare at the ground in embarrassment as a small section of the 3,500 travelling support disfigured the minute’s silence which followed.

Hardly had German referee Wolfgang Stark blown his whistle to signify the traditional display of respect, when shouts began to ring out from the corner of the ground hosting the Catalan visitors. Despite efforts from many of their companions, and angry reproaches from many Celtic fans, the harsh-throated interruptions continued.

At best it was ignorance, at worst some sick sign of approval of what had occurred in the Spanish capital. Whatever it was, it left a sour taste and forced the referee to call a premature halt to the ‘silence’.

It can only be hoped those at St James’ Park in Newcastle, El Madrigal in Villarreal and the 19 May Stadium in Ankara, the other grounds featuring Spanish clubs last night, were observed with more dignity.

The giant screens inside Parkhead had carried a reminder, in English and Spanish, that the minute’s silence would be observed prior to kick-off. It was hardly required. There could not have been a soul arriving in the ground unaware of the horrific events in Madrid which had graphically dominated the television and radio news bulletins through the day.

The seven flags on top of the North Stand fluttered at half mast in an icy breeze, UEFA’s Fair Play banner among them. It was those who run European football from Nyon in Switzerland who had made the decision that their show must go on, despite requests from the four Spanish clubs left in the UEFA Cup that their ties should be postponed in the circumstances.

Jaime Orti, the president of Valencia, articulated the feelings of his nation as he digested news of the Madrid atrocity in Ankara where his club were facing Turkish side Genclerbirligi. Clearly, Orti simply wanted to round up his players and catch the first available flight home.

"This is a tragic day for Spain," said Orti. "It’s a day when we can hardly be thinking about football and we believe that neither the players nor the clubs are ready to play these games."

Joan Laporte, the Barcelona president, had made a similar request which was fully supported by Celtic. Officials of Real Mallorca, in England to face Newcastle, and Villarreal, who played host to Roma, followed suit. UEFA, however, decided after a couple of hours of deliberation that the ties must be played as a sign of football’s solidarity and determination to keep the disruption to normal life caused by the terrorists to a minimum.

Lars-Christer Olsson, UEFA’s Swedish chief executive, said: "The events of this morning are tragic and shocking, and on behalf of UEFA I would like to offer our sincere condolences to all those individuals and families involved. Our thoughts and hearts are with the victims of these dreadful attacks at this time.

"By playing the games tonight under these difficult circumstances, we hope to show to the world the true spirit of fair play and respect in football."

However defiant football chooses to be, however, there are now growing fears that the sport will be targeted directly by those seeking to leave their ugly imprint on the world.

Across the border from Spain, the Portuguese authorities are aware this summer’s European Championship finals could be viewed as just such a vehicle by the terrorists.

Lieutenant-General Leonel de Carvalho, head of security for the Portuguese government, observed: "The events in Madrid are one more call for attention that more care is taken at Euro 2004. We have no plans to change our security arrangements for the tournament but this shows that there is every need for them to be as tight as we plan."

• BBC Scotland will screen the second leg between Celtic and Barcelona live on 25 March. The game at the Nou Camp will also be shown on BBC Three.