Keith Hackett: This is the punishment Celtic can expect after protest halts Stuttgart clash
Celtic could now face a fine from UEFA due to fans throwing tennis balls onto the pitch in their Europa League knockout playoff match against Stuttgart on Thursday.
This is according to former referee Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that UEFA will be unhappy with the incident that caused the match to be delayed by three minutes at Celtic Park.
Many Celtic fans committed the act in protest of their owners, who have received increasing amounts of criticism this season.
🚨 BREAKING: Play between Celtic and Stuttgart was paused for three minutes due to a fan protest at kick-off.
— In Today Sport (@intodaysport) February 19, 2026
Celtic supporters threw tennis balls onto the pitch around 15 seconds into their Europa League play-off clash on Thursday night. pic.twitter.com/diT7W6qBrI
Keith Hackett: Potential fines will depend on Celtic’s record
For Celtic, their Europa League tie was a disaster.
Despite a seemingly solid performance for much of the match, the tie is effectively over going into the second leg in Germany next week, with Stuttgart holding a 4-1 advantage.
It was a sign of just how far the Hoops had fallen in just a year, with the Old Firm side taking Bayern Munich to the wire just last February in the Champions League, eventually losing 3-2 on aggregate to the Bundesliga giants.
Now, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett believes that the situation could now get worse for the Glaswegians.
When examining the implications of the protest, he said: “UEFA will be unhappy that this incident created a stoppage in the game.
“The UEFA Match Delegate will report the matter, and it will be dealt with by the UEFA Disciplinary Department
“Incidents like this have an impact on broadcasters, interfering with their schedules that they receive a great deal of income from sponsors.
“The fines that will be levied will depend on the previous record of the club.”
What was Martin O’Neill’s reaction to the protest?
Martin O’Neill was far from amused at the actions of the Celtic supporters.
Celtic Park was bouncing at kick-off, with the atmosphere proving to be intimidating for their German visitors.
Yet, this was quickly eliminated by the protest within seconds of the match kicking off, with it taking a considerable amount of time to clear all the tennis balls off the pitch.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, O’Neill was furious, claiming that it did not help the team at all, and in fact, made it an easier place for Stuttgart to come play their football.
“It feels like the club are falling apart”
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 19, 2026
Stiliyan Petrov discusses the current state of Celtic Football Club…
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“Anybody who thinks that’s a good idea needs their heads examining,” he said. “There’s no question about it. It sends out totally the wrong message.
“We are playing against Stuttgart. The game is hard enough.
“The problem is, way back, some years ago, this was an incredibly intimidating place to come to. Incredibly difficult. I’ve managed here when sides like Juventus were scared stiff of coming here. Where top-class sides were scared stiff.
“That sort of thing does not help at all.
“There have been battles going on [between fans and the board] but that doesn’t help. All it does do, Stuttgart come to this wonderful football club and find a lot of in-fighting going on and things being thrown onto the pitch… it doesn’t make any great sense to me.
“If I’m a Stuttgart player, I’m thinking I’m pretty happy in this environment, if that’s the case.”