Celtic fans wishing to head to tonight’s Champions League qualifier against Linfield will be given a dedicated seating section, the Belfast club has announced.
Linfield Football Club has issued an official statement within the last hour saying it has “worked closely with all relevant authorities” to ensure tonight’s match against Celtic is played in “a safe and welcoming environment.”
The club added: “Both clubs have made public requests that Celtic fans do not purchase tickets for the game. Despite this, some fans may have purchased tickets for the match with the intention of supporting Celtic.
READ MORE: PSNI on standby ahead of Linfield v Celtic Champions League clash
“In this event, they should only proceed to the stadium via the Boucher Road and then, under the instructions of stewards and the PSNI [Police Service of Northern Ireland], to the Kop Stand.
“These supporters should arrive at the stadium after 3.30pm to ensure access to the game. Celtic fans will not be admitted to any other part of the ground, and Linfield fans should not enter the stadium from the Boucher Road.”
The club also reminded fans that no further tickets for tonight’s game are available and and further urged all spectators to “behave in a respectful and sporting manner.”
Linfield also said at the start of this month that it would announce arrangements soon for supporters wishing to travel to the away tie in Glasgow on July 19.
READ MORE: Plans for safe zone for Celtic fans in Belfast for Linfield match attacked by loyalist politicians
The announcement comes a day after it was reported how both Celtic Football Club and the PSNI had been at loggerheads over the club’s decision not to allocate any ‘away’ tickets for today’s match against Linfield.
The police force told fans: “Contrary to some reports, the decision of Celtic FC not to accept their allocation of ‘away’ tickets for the game against Linfield in Belfast was a decision taken solely by the football club and was not made by the PSNI.”
However, hitting back, Celtic issued a response of its own, and said: “We are extremely surprised by this statement and the timing of the release.
“This is clearly not our understanding of the situation and we stand by our statement of 23rd June.”
“We feel there is nothing to be gained by commenting further until the tie has been played.”
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