‘If you hate the Royal Family …’: Celtic slammed over ‘disrespectful’ Queen mockery

As the world prepares to farewell Queen Elizabeth II, football fans have once again hijacked a tribute to monarch in a distasteful display.

Fans hijacked the minute of applause. Photo: Fox Sports

Celtic fans mocked the death of the Queen with another disgraceful banner ahead of today’s Scottish Premiership clash with St Mirren.

Yesterday, the Saints revealed that they would hold a minute’s applause in honour of Queen Elizabeth II ahead of the match at St Mirren Park, The Sun reported.

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The club urged fans to be respectful of the gesture, but a group of Celtic supporters were quick to disturb and continued to chant throughout.

Loud boos were heard amongst the applause and it was clear that many weren’t interested in paying their respects to the Queen, who passed away last Thursday.

They chanted “If you hate the Royal Family clap your hands” during the applause and when the match kicked off, as a banner telling other supporters to join in was seen in the Celtic crowd.

“If you hate the Royal Family clap your hands” 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 #Celtic#Celticfanshttps://t.co/9cht951BMr

— The Bolshevik Beekeeper🐝 (@bolshevik_bee) September 18, 2022

The incident sparked an apology from Sky as commentator Ian Crocker said: “Apologies if you were offended by anything you might have heard. Most showed respect, some did not.”

Before the game, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou asked fans to show respect during the applause.

“There’s a minute’s applause (on Sunday), we will abide by whatever obligations and responsibilities we have as a football club,” he said.

“We will do that in a respectful manner. We want our supporters to do the same.”

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson also urged crowds to respect the tribute.

“I don’t make those decisions on how we show our respect. It’s hard enough picking a team,” he said.

“But if that’s what it is – a minute’s applause – then obviously we will respect that as much as we can as well.

“I can only speak for myself and for St Mirren. As a football club we will show our utmost respect, I personally will show my utmost respect.

“You hope that people have that respect during the game because someone has died.

“No matter what your beliefs are, I think it’s important that society respects that.”

Be better fans. Photo: Twitter

Broadcaster Piers Morgan slammed the act, tweeting: “Magnificent applause at Brentford/Arsenal on 70th minute for the Queen, and stirring spontaneous singing of National Anthem.

“What a contrast to the heartless Celtic fans that chose to mock & taunt a 96yr-old woman who loved Scotland so much.”

Celtic fans being disrespectful to the queen and ended up loosing 2-0 😅

— DOUGY (@LittleDeeMusic) September 18, 2022

Celtic went on to lose the game 2-0, but Postecoglou’s side still sit at the top of the table.

Hoops fans displayed an antimonarchy banner during the club’s midweek Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.

Some Dundee United and Hibernian fans were also guilty of singing a vile chant about The Queen during tributes.

The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place tomorrow.

Two million mourners are expected to take to London for the historic event.

This story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.

Originally published as ‘If you hate the Royal Family …’: Celtic slammed over ‘disrespectful’ Queen mockery