Celtic fans commended

FIFA have awarded the 2003 Fair Play Award to Celtic supporters for their conduct at the UEFA Cup final in May.

Over 80,000 fans descended on Seville for the game against Porto, which the Hoops eventually lost 3-2 in extra-time.

But despite the loss, Celtic fans behaved well enough to earn the Fair Play award from both FIFA and UEFA this year.

Celtic executive director Peter Lawwell said: “This award is a superb and fitting tribute to the friendly army of Celtic supporters who followed their heroes to Seville in the summer.

“The 80,000 fans lucky enough to be there created one of the world’s greatest sporting spectacles and, personally speaking, it’s one which will live in the memory for a lifetime.

“Thanks to their exploits across Europe in recent years, Celtic’s travelling supporters have now become a by-word for good-natured sporting friendship and unswerving devotion to their team.”

Celtic security chief Ronnie Hawthorn added: “As a club, we are absolutely delighted with that recognition.

“It is well deserved and Celtic fans have turned football into a carnival of sport, wherever they go, they travel very well.

“We are absolutely delighted and honoured to be collecting the award.”

Lawwell and Celtic Supporters Association general secretary, Eddie Toner, will pick up the award at the FIFA World Player of the Year ceremony in Basle, Switzerland, on December 15.