CELTIC were still in the dark last night about what punishment they will face from UEFA for some of their fans discharging flares and displaying an offensive banner in Italy last month.

The Parkhead club is bracing itself for a sizeable fine from the European association's Control and Disciplinary Body, which was due to hear their case in Switzerland yesterday.

However, a backlog led to an announcement of the verdict being delayed and Celtic now expect to hear their fate today, although the outcome could be postponed until next week.

Celtic seem certain to receive their fifth fine from Uefa in as many years. The incidents took place when Celtic played their final Europa League group game against Udinese, and came only a month after the governing body fined the club £12,700 for pro-IRA chanting by some supporters at a group game against Rennes earlier in the season.

Celtic have already taken their own action, banning for life one supporter who was identified holding up a "F*** Uefa" banner – the message being a response to the previous month's punishment. When the club are notified of UEFA's decision they have three days to appeal.

Hearts, meanwhile, are expecting to learn today if they will be punished by the Scottish Premier League over their wages saga. The club have been charged with "failing to behave with the utmost good faith to the SPL", after failing to pay players on time for the fourth successive month and face a number of penalties, such as a points deduction, fine and transfer embargo.