Green Brigade target UEFA over Israel with 'complicit in genocide' banner during Celtic v Braga match

Celtic fans group the Green Brigade have targeted UEFA with a banner unveiled before the Europa League match against Braga that accuses the governing body of being “complicit in genocide”.

The group unfurled a banner ahead of kick-off that demanded Israel and Israeli club sides are kicked out of international competitions.

The banner read: “UEFA is complicit in genocide by normalising Israel. Kick them out now”.

UEFA rules prohibit banners or displays that contain what they see as political content and the incident could see the club facing disciplinary action.

The protest comes as European football’s governing body is reported to scheduling an extraordinary meeting of national associations to consider sanctions and address the worsening situation in Gaza.

A United Nations commission of inquiry report earlier this month concluded Israel has committed genocide in its attacks on Gaza.

It’s not the first time that Celtic fans have used a European match to make their protest on the situation, having orchestrated a “Show Israel the Red Card” display during last season’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich. Other clubs around the world have had similar displays.

Human rights charity Amnesty International has joined with the Palestinian Football Association to call on both UEFA and FIFA to suspend sides, claiming the presence of teams based in the Occupied Palestinian Territory within the Israeli leagues breaks existing rules.

On Thursday FIFA president Gianni Infantino appeared to resist calls for Israeli sides to be ejected from competitions, saying the purpose of football is “peace and unity”.

He said that the game “cannot solve geopolitical problems, but it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values”.

“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” he added.

“Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity,”