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Celtic fans could avoid Champions League ban after ‘Lizzie’s in box’ chants

Flare on the pitch
Celtic fans threw a flare on to the pitch at Villa Park, where they also sang derogatory songs about the Royal family - Getty Images/Julian Finney

Celtic fans who sang “Lizzie’s in a box” and “If you hate the Royal family, clap your hands” in front of the Prince of Wales could avoid being banned from their club’s Champions League match at Bayern Munich.

A decision on whether to impose a one-game ban on the Scottish champions selling tickets to their away supporters was not among the latest Uefa appeals body decisions announced on Tuesday and Telegraph Sport has been told that would risk any punishment not being activated in time for the play-off round second leg on February 18.

Celtic would still face such a sanction after their 4-2 Champions League defeat at Aston Villa last week, during which fans defied a suspended one-match ban imposed for the setting off of pyrotechnics during their 7-1 thrashing at Borussia Dortmund in October.

The Scottish champions last week warned fans against making travel plans for the club’s trip to Munich, saying in a statement: “As a result of the use of pyrotechnics during our match against Borussia Dortmund last year, Celtic Football Club was sanctioned by the Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body.

“The decision meant that, not only did the club receive a fine of €20,000 (£16,700), but also that, if such behaviour was repeated at a match in the next two years, the club would be prevented from selling tickets to supporters for one away match in Uefa club competitions.

“Unfortunately, the club has received a further disciplinary notice from Uefa following the match against Aston Villa FC on Wednesday evening.

“The club will obviously make robust representations to Uefa and will make every effort to ensure that our fans can attend our next Uefa Champions League match. However, clearly there is a risk that supporters may not be able to attend.

“In light of this situation, it is incumbent on the club to make supporters aware of this risk, when considering making arrangements for travel, until further information is provided by Uefa.”

Last Friday’s play-off round draw paired Celtic with Bayern instead of Real Madrid, with the first leg scheduled to take place in Glasgow on February 12 and the return leg in Munich the following week on February 18.