Celtic fans disrupt minute's applause for Queen Elizabeth II with anti-Royal chanting and banner

By Matt Foster, CNN

Updated 0937 GMT (1737 HKT) September 19, 2022

Celtic fans held up banners during the minute's applause.

(CNN)Supporters of Glasgow-based football team Celtic FC chanted anti-royal sentiments during a planned minute's applause for Queen Elizabeth II ahead of the team's match against St. Mirren in Paisley, Scotland, on Sunday.

The minute's applause had been organized after the home team, St. Mirren, chose to pay tribute to the late monarch, but Celtic fans unfurled a banner reading «If you hate the royal family clap your hands» and chanted the same words throughout the planned homage.The Scottish FA said in a statement on Monday that «as a mark of respect and in keeping with the period of National Mourning, home clubs may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem just ahead of kick-off, and players may wish to wear black armbands.»Sky, who was broadcasting the match, confirmed to CNN that it turned down the stadium microphones to limit the audibility of the chants during its broadcast of the minute's applause. After the applause ended, commentator Ian Crocker said, «Apologies if you were offended by anything you might have heard. Most people showed respect, some did not.»Read MoreIt is the second time this week that groups of Celtic fans have expressed anti-royal feelings, with the club currently subject to an investigation by European football's governing body UEFA after displaying a banner reading «F**k the crown» during Wednesday's Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk.Celtic were defeated 2-0 by St. Mirren on Sunday. CNN has reached out to the Scottish Professional Football League and Celtic FC for comment but did not immediately get a response.Though Celtic is based