A NINE-YEAR-OLD Celtic fan was burned after he was hit by a flare chucked during Tuesday’s Champions League match.
The lad was left screaming in agony after he was hit by the pyro thrown by a brainless thug before the Parkhead’s side’s match against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
He was rushed to the stadium’s on-site medical room for emergency treatment and was believed to have been taken to hospital.
The accident happened after the controversial Green Brigade ultras group held a pyrotechnic display – despite pleas by the club not to.
Celtic have twice shut down the area populated by the group over fans’ behaviour and will now face calls to do so again.
An onlooker said: “This wasn’t an accident waiting to happen – it’s been predicted for years.
“Fans are repeatedly told not to set these things off but they aren’t listening and now a youngster, one of their own, has possibly been maimed for life.”
“Fans are told not to set these things off but they aren’t listening – and now a youngster has been maimed because of them.”
It’s not known whether the boy, who has not been named, was sitting within the corner section housing the Green Brigade or was housed nearby.
The massive co-ordinated display that was spread over the top and bottom tiers and the strobe flares were all set off at the same time – as both teams entered the stadium.
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Shortly afterwards, the child was taken to medics and was later taken to hospital.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8pm on Tuesday, police were advised that a young child had been injured after being struck by a pyrotechnic flare within Celtic Park.
“The child was attended to by medical staff at Celtic Park and then due to attend a local hospital for further treatment.
“Enquiries into the incident are continuing.”
A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: “We will raise this matter within the Stadium Advisory Group for Celtic Park and determine an appropriate course of action.”
On Monday, the Celtic Supporters Liaison Officer begged fans not to bring flares into the ground amid fears of further fines from governing body UEFA.
The message read: ‘Wee reminder the use of pyrotechnics including smoke bombs is prohibited within the Stadium.
‘The use of these devices in UEFA games is likely to result in the Club receiving a sanction and fans are asked to please refrain from using these whilst inside Celtic Park, thank you.’
Celtic shut down the Green Brigade standing section in February after a similar flare display before a 3-0 win over Rangers.
After police and Glasgow City Council officials raised serious safety concerns, the club responded by closing the rail seating section for the Scottish Cup tie against Raith Rovers.
In a letter to fans affected, they said: “As a result of safety issues arising at our last home match, including widespread use of pyrotechnics, it has been deemed necessary to review the matchday operations in the front part of the rail seating section.
“Consequently, this section will be closed versus Raith Rovers while the club reviews these issues.”
In 2019, the section was closed after fans set off flares before a Europa League match against Cluj.
They were also fined £13,500 after travelling fans set off fireworks during a win over Lazio in Italy and an £11,000 fine for throwing objects and using flares in a play-off win over AIK Stockholm the same year.
At the time, former chief executive Peter Lawwell said: “Unfortunately, there is a small minority who are a challenge in terms of safety in the stadium and protecting the reputation of our magnificent club.
“The concerning thing for us is that they don’t seem to believe they are doing anything wrong.”
Celtic were approached for comment by The Scottish Sun.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
