POLICE have launched an investigation into the behaviour of fans during Celtic's Champions League clash in the wake of concerns over pro-IRA singing and banners.

Fans fear a severe penalty after the European football authority UEFA further confirmed the latest charge against the club over the flying of a an illicit banner in the wake of a row over the display of pro-IRA flags. Uefa rules prohibit messages of a political and ideological nature being displayed in a stadium.

The Glasgow club face an 11th punishment in in seven seasons by UEFA for supporter misconduct. The sanction on each of the ten previous occasions has been a fine from the governing body.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

Celtic FC have commenced an inquiry and said it "will take appropriate action" while adding that any support for a paramilitary or proscribed terrorist organisation “has no place at Celtic Park.”

Complaints have been lodged with police about the displays, including that of what appeared to be an IRA paramilitary, and the singing at Wednesday's UEFA Champions League match.

Some compared another banner featuring Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers in a warning triangle with the words "Rodgers At Work" to a similarly designed "Sniper At Work" road sign, referring to the infamous IRA South Armagh sniper team. However others reject this interpretation, saying the inspiration could have been the front page of a past Celtic View magazine which displayed a picture of former Hoops star Paddy McCourt together with the words "Danger, Genius At Work".

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

Celtic FC said: “[We have] been consistent in condemning such conduct on the very few occasions in the past when it has occurred at Celtic Park.

“It is unfortunate that such a small minority of the crowd at Celtic Park last night behaved in such a way.

“We know the Celtic support will join us in condemning such behaviour."

Asked about the banner, after the game Rodgers said: “I didn’t (see it). Fortunately I am one of these guys who just concentrate on the game.”

Police said it had launched an investigation into both Celtic and Linfield fans after the Champions League qualifier which the Hoops won 4-0.

The force said it would be looking into the singing and the banners on display while investigating the behaviour of a "small section of supporters from both teams".

It is not the first time Celtic have come under the cosh for illicit banners leading to concerns amongst some fans that UEFA could come down hard on the persistent offending. Four years ago Celtic were hit with a £42,000 fine by UEFA after the Green Brigade display banners including one depicting IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands before a Champions League match defeat by AC Milan.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

In a statement, Celtic then warned continued misbehaviour could see them play European games behind closed doors, with chief executive Peter Lawell accusing the Green Brigade of damaging the club's reputation.; And fans raised concerns on social media of a harsh penalty over latest furore for persistent offending.

And at the time of the 2013 incident, it was the fourth time the European governing body had taken action against the Glasgow club as a result of fan indiscretions in the previous two years.

Celtic were fined £12,600 (15,000 euro) in 2011 after supporters chanted pro-IRA slogans during a Europa League match against Rennes.

They were then handed a further £21,000 (25,000 euro) punishment after their followers unfurled a banner criticising Uefa and set off flares during a later match in the same competition at Italian side Udinese.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

More recently in September, police launched a probe at an Old Firm match after hanged effigies were suspended from a tier inside the stadium while a toilet block at Celtic Park was believed to be vandalised by Rangers fans.

Following the first league clash between the teams in four years, pictures emerged on social media of hanging blow up dolls adorned with Rangers scarves as the players took to the pitch.

Rival fans have disputed the significance of the effigies stunt with some suggesting it was making reference to the Rangers plc liquidation in 2012, but others emphasised that they were mock executions. UEFA has now charged the club with the banner display which is in contravention of its disciplinary regulations.

The Hoops are further charged by UEFA with a kit infringement, and are said to have had sponsor advertising on warm-up bibs. The club is also charged with having stairways blocked within Parkhead.

The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body next Friday.

Meanwhile a Linfield fan who sang sectarian lyrics at football mach against Celtic will “face the wrath of his wife” a court heard.

Scott Colville, 46, from Belfast was caught singing the phrase "F***** b*******" loudly, at the Parkhead stadium where the Belfast team lost 4-0 to the home side.

He was lifted by officers before the match on July 19 and spent a night in the cells before his appearance at Glasgow Sheriff Court where he admitted the offence contrary to the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.

Meanwhile a group of Aberdeen supporters have been attacked in Bosnia before a Europa League qualifying match.

Fans who had gathered at the Black Dog pub in Mostar were targeted on Wednesday night by a group reportedly carrying bats and flares.

At least two supporters were taken to hospital following the incident, according to reports.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

The Celtic fines

* February, 2017: Manchester City (A)- £16,000 for fireworks and crowd trouble

* August, 2016: Hapeol Beer Sheva (H) – £8,616 for displaying of Palestine flags

* December 2015: Fenerbahce (A) – £10,000 for improper conduct of team as well as flares

* March 2015: Inter Milan (A) - £5850 for improper conduct of team, £3650 fine for flares

* February 2015: Dinamo Zagreb (A) - £7400 fine for inappropriate crowd behaviour

* July 2014: KR Reykjavik (H) - £16,000 fine for illicit banner

* December 2013: AC Milan (H) - £42,200 fine for illicit banner

* July 2013: Cliftonville (H) - £4200 fine for flares

* March 2012: Udinese (A) - £21,000 fine for flares and illicit banner

* December 2011: Rennes (A) - £12,700 fine for illicit chanting