BT Sport apologised for the banner
BT Sport were forced to issue an apology after showing an offensive banner displayed by Celtic fans during their Champions League game with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Celtic fans unveiled a banner which read: ‘F**k the crown’ in the away end of the stadium in Warsaw.
The BT Sport cameras had panned to the away end but quickly apologised after their cameras picked up the banner on the broadcast.
It follows almost a week to the day since Queen Elizabeth II died. The news of her death led to football matches being postponed across the United Kingdom last weekend while tributes have taken place during games this week.
Bayern Munich protested against the decision to postpone games as a mark of respect in their game against Barcelona on Tuesday, holding a banner which said: “Last minute match delays and bans because of a royal’s death!? Respect fans!”
The Allianz Arena this evening pic.twitter.com/PXbMPZVja5
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) September 13, 2022
As this game was played in Poland, there was no minute’s silence and the Champions League anthem was played over the sound system.
Some of the Celtic supporters had already been displaying a banner that read ‘F**k the Crown’ and, as the anthem played out, others unfurled a banner that read ‘Sorry for Your Loss Michael Fagan’.
Tell us how you really feel lads pic.twitter.com/5pKAs32LyD
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) September 14, 2022
Michael Fagan was a London native who, in 1982, gained unauthorised entry to Buckingham Palace to get an audience with the Queen. He was arrested for the palace break-in and spent three months in a psychiatric facility.
Related links:
- Two James McClean images tell clearer story of pre-match tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
- Rangers to defy UEFA by playing national anthem before Napoli game
- Trevor Sinclair posts fresh update after talkSPORT suspension
