Celtic Europa League Opponents Hit with Partial Stadium Closure

Celtic’s Europa League opponents Ferencvaros have been hit with a partial stadium closure after their supporters were found guilty of offensive and discriminatory behaviour.

The Hungarian side are due at Celtic Park on Thursday, for the opening game of the Europa League league phase, but they arrive in Glasgow with another supporter disciplinary issue hanging over the club.

The latest punishment relates to their domestic match against Puskas Academy.

The Hungarian FA said: “Ferencvaros supporters were found guilty of shouting offensive and discriminatory expressions in their match against the Puskas Academy, and ordered the partial closure of the Groupama Arena.

“Due to their repeated offences within a previous suspended sentence, the association was left with no other alternative.”

The latest closure applies to Ferencvaros’ own ground and does not affect next week’s meeting with Celtic at Parkhead.

However, it is not the first time the Hungarian side have faced punishment over supporter behaviour this year.

UEFA previously fined Ferencvaros £15,000 and ordered another partial stadium closure following racist behaviour from sections of their support.

That previous sanction adds further context to the latest action taken against the club, who finished second in Hungary last season before securing Europa League qualification through their Magyar Kupa triumph.

Celtic open their Europa League campaign at home to Ferencvaros next Thursday.

The clubs have met several times in Europe in recent years.

Ferencvaros won 2-1 at Celtic Park in Champions League qualifying in 2020, before Celtic beat them home and away during the 2021/22 Europa League group stage.

Next Thursday brings the latest meeting, but Ferencvaros will travel to Glasgow with fresh scrutiny around their support after another disciplinary ruling in Hungary.