Simon Jordan has slammed Celtic fans over the banners they unveiled mocking the Queen during the club’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk in Warsaw. On banner said “F*** the Crown” while another said “Sorry for your loss Michael Fagan,” a reference to the intruder who broke into the late monarch’s Buckingham Palace bedroom.
But while the no-nonsense radio pundit hit out at the Hoops legions, he doesn’t believe the Parkhead side should face any action from UEFA in the way Rangers could be for their tribute to Her Majesty because Celtic couldn’t control the actions of their supporters.
Jordan addressed the contrast in the actions from fans of the fierce rivals to the passing last week of the monarch with fans belting out God Save the King at Ibrox as Rangers chiefs defied UEFA orders not to play the national anthem and a section of the Celtic support displayed anti-royalist banners and chanted during their 1-1 draw in the Polish capital.
The 54-year-old said on talkSPORT: “They're different things. First and foremost, Rangers orchestrated a situation where the fans supported the Queen, not because they didn't want to do it but they were facilitated to do what they wanted to do.
"They were given placards to form the Union Jack and there was a drum roll to signal the national anthem. Celtic had a very different view, an appalling view from some of their fans, quite frankly. To put signs up of the nature they did was appalling, just appalling. If you've got nothing good to say, perhaps say nothing.
"I know there's times when I say things that perhaps are a little bit strong and full of hyperbole but I ask questions about this. If you don't like something, don't go it and see it rather than put up ridiculous, insulting and derisory banners about the Queen and who broke into her house, and God knows whatever else.
"But the problem is this, I don't like clubs being sanctioned for the actions of individuals. They're not the thought police, it's unfair on the club. Rangers are going to be held to one account because they facilitated the outcome they wanted with the fans. Celtic were facilitating nothing.
"There was just a group of fans who think it's clever to be disrespectful. I suspect they go through their whole lives being disrespectful to most things. If you feel the necessity to put those sort of things up, whatever your persuasion, whatever your beliefs, I can't relate to you and I don't want to relate to you.
"I don't think they should be sanctioned by UEFA under the same auspices as Rangers may well be. It'll be interesting to see if UEFA have got the balls to do it because the climate and the relationship they have with British clubs is not an insignificant part of the relationships they have and want to have with the league, and how it will form and change over the years. It'll be interesting."
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