Linfield to seek 'financial redress' after club fined €10,000 for crowd trouble against Celtic

Linfield vowed to seek 'financial redress' after they were fined €10,000 by UEFA and ordered to close a section of Windsor Park following crowd trouble during their Champions League qualifier against Celtic in Belfast last Friday.

A statement released by the club on Thursday evening confirmed the club has been cooperating with the Police Service of Northern Ireland over antisocial behaviour by a small pocket of home fans.

The charges related to two separate incidents during and after the game, which Celtic won 2-0 before winning the return leg 4-0 at Parkhead.

Linfield were charged with objects, including an empty glass bottle of Buckfast, being thrown at Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths as he attempted to take a corner.

A further charge was levelled against the club when fans invaded the pitch after full-time when Griffiths attempted to tie a Celtic scarf to one of the goalposts.

“Linfield FC shares the frustration of the vast majority of our many loyal and genuine supporters who have been rightly appalled by this negative and unwelcome behaviour and the punitive sanction it has attracted,” read the statement on the club's website.

The club is cooperating fully with the PSNI over possible prosecutions and will seek financial redress from any identified individuals through the civil courts.”

Griffiths was charged and suspended for one match as a result of his behaviour, while Celtic were also fined €4,500 for failing to control their players as they picked up five bookings.

UEFA Decision:

Match: UEFA Champions League second round qualifying match (first leg) between Linfield FC and Celtic FC played on 14 June in Northern Ireland.

Decision:

Linfield FC

• To order the partial closure of the Linfield FC Stadium during the next (1) UEFA competition match in which Linfield FC would play as the host club, and, in particular Linfield FC shall closed South stand lower sector I of the stadium.

• To fine Linfield FC €10,000

The charges against Linfield FC related to the throwing of objects (Art. 16 (2) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) and a field invasion by supporters – (Art. 16 (2) DR).

Celtic FC

• To suspend the Celtic FC player Leigh Griffiths for one (1) UEFA competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible

• To fine Celtic FC €4,500

The charges against Celtic FC related to player Leigh Griffiths – provoking spectators (after the end of the match) – (Art. 15 (1) (a) DR) and improper conduct of the team (5 cards or more) - (Art. 15 (4) DR).