Celtic avoid ban but Rodgers fears pyro use will continue

Celtic have avoided a ban on their supporters for the Champions League play-off second leg at Bayern Munich.

The Scottish champions received another disciplinary notice from European football's governing body Uefa after a smoke bomb was thrown on to the pitch during the game at Aston Villa on 29 January.

Celtic were given a two-year suspended ban on selling tickets to away fans following the use of pyrotechnics during their match at Borussia Dortmund in October.

But, while the suspended ban remains in place, a Uefa control, ethics and disciplinary committee has decided to impose a €10,000 (£8,400) fine for the throwing of fireworks, with no additional penalty.

Celtic, who had warned fans about the risk in making travel arrangements for the game in Munich before a judgement was reached, say they "made every effort to ensure that our fans could attend this match and we are pleased that Uefa has considered our detailed submission."

The club statement adds that "pyrotechnics have absolutely no place at our matches and should further incidents occur, then clearly, once again, there is an extremely high risk of our supporters not being permitted access to future matches."

Bayern visit Celtic Park for the first leg of the play-off tie on 12 February with the return in Germany six days later.