Football News: Deila hoping Celtic fans avoid Europa travelling ban.

Image from: www.videocelts.com

Celtic manager Ronny Deila is hoping that any UEFA punishment the club receives does not impact on their eagerly-awaited Europa League clash with Inter Milan after the club were again charged by the European governing body.

UEFA have hit Celtic with their fifth charge in three years for "crowd disturbances" during their match with Dinamo Zagreb, the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will hear the case on 19th February 2015.

With Celtic due to host Inter at Celtic park that night in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 32 and any punishment on travelling supporters would come into play before their trip to Milan the following week.

A statement from UEFA read: "Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the UEFA Europa League Group D match between GNK Dinamo Zagreb and Celtic FC played on December 11 in Croatia."

A flare was lit in the visiting section during the game in the Croatian capital and there were other unconfirmed reports of disturbances.

Sanctions Celtic could face include matches at Celtic Park being played behind closed doors, with specific stands closed or a ban being placed on supporters from travelling to a number of future away games in Europe.

Deila is desperate to avoid any potential ban on Celtic fans travelling to Italy for the second leg with the Norwegian stating, "That would be a big setback for us, hopefully we get as many Celtic fans as possible to the game in Italy because that's important for us."

Deila went on, "If we continue doing this we will get fines and things that are not good for the club, and a reputation as well. We need to make this stop so we can concentrate on football. We are not feeling good about this. But it's a small minority of the fans that's doing something. Overall my impression is that they are fantastic fans."

Written by Mark B Jamieson December 16 2014 20:37:53