BT Sport were forced to apologise after showing an offensive banner which was unfurled by Celtic fans during their Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Celtic supporters displayed a message which read: 'F*** the crown' for their side's 1-1 draw in Warsaw. The BT Sport cameras had panned to the away end and accidentally showed the full banner during their coverage. The broadcaster apologised as viewers quickly picked up on the gaff, six days on from the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral aged 96 last Thursday.
Football was postponed across the United Kingdom last weekend, with tributes taking place during games this week. But ahead of Celtic's draw, which was played in the Polish capital rather than Shakhtar's home of Ukraine due to the ongoing war, there was no minute's silence and the Champions League anthem was played over the sound system.
As the tune blared out, another banner was unfurled by Celtic fans reading: 'Sorry for Your Loss Michael Fagan'. Michael Fagan was the man who infamously gained unauthorised entry to Buckingham Palace in 1982 while the late Queen was sleeping. The Londoner was arrested for the palace break-in and spent three months in a psychiatric facility.
Celtic's Glasgow rivals, Rangers, have a much stronger affiliation with the Royal Family. The Scottish giants even defied UEFA by playing the national anthem ahead of their clash with Napoli at Ibrox. The Queen's death has been a topic throughout the world and permeated into this week's Champions League fixtures.
A section of Bayern Munich supporters in Germany protested against the decision made by the likes of the Premier League and English Football League to postpone games as a mark of respect. During their side's 2-0 victory over against Barcelona on Tuesday, a banner in the Allianz read: "Last minute match delays and bans because of a Royal's death!? Respect fans!"
British clubs Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur paid tribute to the United Kingdom's longest-serving monarch by observing a minute's silence and wearing black armbands for their games on Tuesday. The Premier League have also outlined their plans to pay tribute ahead of the coming fixtures, having called off all 10 matches last weekend.
"All Premier League matches between Friday 16 and Sunday 18 September will provide an opportunity for the League, clubs and fans to come together to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation and world," the league said.
"Fans will be asked to join a minute's silence, which will be followed by the National Anthem, God Save The King. Big screens and LED perimeter boards will display tribute images to Her Majesty and flags at the grounds will be flying at half-mast. When the clock turns to 70 minutes, fans will be invited to applaud The Queen's 70-year reign."
