Celtic charged by UEFA over pitch invasion
A Celtic fan is removed by stewards after invading the pitch during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Celtic and Paris Saint-Germain at Celtic Park in Glasgow on September 12, 2017. PSG won 5-0.
European football's governing body UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Celtic following a pitch invasion during their UEFA Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
A supporter raced onto the Parkhead pitch late in the first half on Tuesday with the hosts 0-3 down and darted towards 18-year-old superstar Kylian Mbappe.
He aimed a fresh-air kick at the former Monaco striker but failed to make contact before being whisked away by stewards.
Celtic has been charged with a count of "field invasion" and will have its case heard by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on October 19, a UEFA statement said.
Celtic has already been fined 11 times in less than six years over fan behavior issues ranging from pro-IRA chants to fireworks, crowd disturbances and illicit banners. It was fined 20,000 pounds (US$26,500) in July over an illicit banner in the crowd against Irish club Linfield during a UCL qualifying match.
PSG has also been charged after its fans were accused of breaking seats at Celtic Park and will have its matter addressed at the same hearing as Celtic.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his frustration with Tuesday night's incident and said the Parkhead club would take its own action.
"The crowd reaction said it all. It is disappointing at any ground that a supporter gets on to the pitch," he said.
"I am sure the club will deal with that. It shouldn't be anything that we should see on a football field. The crowd in their reaction told you everything you need to know."
Police said they made seven arrests at Celtic Park, including a 21-year-old man accused of an alleged pitch incursion and assault.
Four men are expected to appear in court later on Wednesday.
Ten years ago, UEFA fined Celtic 30,000 Swiss francs (now US$31,200) for a similar incident when a fan ran across the goal area taunting AC Milan goalkeeper Dida. In that case, Celtic served a two-year probationary period to avoid a further fine.
