Celtic fans raise more than £90,000 for Palestinian charities after flag protest

Football club facing fine by Uefa after fans displayed Palestinian flags during match against Israel’s Hapoel Be’er Sheva

Celtic fans hold up Palestinian flags during the match against Hapoel Be’er Sheva. Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters

Celtic fans have raised more than £90,000 for Palestinian charities in an attempt to match an impending Uefa fine for displaying Palestinian flags at a match against an Israeli team.

European football’s governing body began disciplinary proceedings against the Glasgow club last week after a number of fans displayed the flags during their 5-2 home victory against Hapoel Be’er Sheva in a Champions League qualifier.

The return leg is due to be played in Israel on Tuesday night.

The Green Brigade group of supporters set up an appeal on the gofundme website on Sunday to match the anticipated fine, and donations passed £90,000 on Tuesday morning.

The fans are raising money for Medical Aid Palestine, which delivers health and medical care to those “worst affected by conflict, occupation and displacement”, and the Lajee Centre, a cultural and sports project for children in Aida refugee camp, in Bethlehem.