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Celtic FC: Call for club to take action over IRA Brendan McFarlane banner

Celtic FC: Call for club to take action over IRA Brendan McFarlane banner

BBC News26-02-2025

A DUP MP has called on Celtic FC to take action against fans who held up a banner commemorating a former IRA man at a match this week.The banner was unfurled at Celtic Park ahead of Tuesday's Scottish Premiership match against Aberdeen.It paid tribute to Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane, who died at the weekend, describing him as a "hero".McFarlane was jailed in 1976 for his part in a gun and bomb attack on Bayardo Bar in Belfast in which five people were killed.
Gregory Campbell tabled an early day motion at Westminster raising concern about the banner and calling on Celtic to take action against those responsible.Campbell said if the club failed to act it will lead to the "belief in wider society" that it is content to be associated with the tribute.On Friday, Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly expressed condolences following the "sad passing of my friend and comrade", adding he was a "huge figure within republicanism".

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