Celtic escapes penalty for fans' pro-IRA chanting

Celtic escapes penalty for fans' pro-IRA chanting

Published Dec. 5, 2011 1:34 p.m. ET

Celtic will face no punishment from the Scottish Premier League following an investigation into the singing of offensive Irish political songs by a section of the club's fans in October.

The SPL says the Glasgow club has been cleared of breaching league rules because it took ''all reasonable steps to minimize the ... unacceptable conduct'' by supporters who chanted pro-IRA songs during the 0-0 home draw with Hibernian on Oct. 29.

The league welcomed Celtic's condemnation of the chanting and its ongoing work to ensure similar incidents don't happen again.

Fans of Celtic are predominantly Catholic while those of fierce city rival Rangers are mostly Protestant. Both clubs have traditionally sung about Irish religious history.

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