UEFA charges Celtic, Linfield over Champions League disorder
NYON, Switzerland (AP) UEFA has opened disciplinary cases against Celtic and Linfield after disorder at a Champions League qualifying match, including against a Celtic forward who was the target of bottle-throwing by home fans in Belfast.
Celtic's Leigh Griffiths is charged with ''provoking spectators (after the end of the match),'' UEFA said on Monday.
After Celtic's 2-0 win last Friday at Windsor Park, Northern Ireland's national stadium, Griffiths took a scarf in Celtic's green and white colors and tied it to a goalpost.
Griffiths had been shown a yellow card for time-wasting in the second half of the game. The Scotland forward delayed taking a corner to show the referee some missiles that narrowly missed him, including a glass bottle and several coins.
UEFA said it charged Linfield with fans throwing objects and running on the pitch.
The yellow card for Griffiths will not be revoked, UEFA said.
UEFA's disciplinary panel will judge the cases on Thursday, one day after the return match of the second qualifying round tie in Glasgow.
The first leg in Belfast had been moved back to Friday to avoid possible religious tensions with July 12 events in Northern Ireland commemorating a historic battle between Protestant and Catholic forces.
Celtic has long ties with the Catholic community and Linfield traditionally draws support from the Protestant community.
