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Celtic condemn "vile" online abuse directed at Nir Bitton

Celtic condemn
© Reuters
The Israel international was sent off in last weekend's loss to Rangers.

Celtic have hit out at "vile" online abuse aimed at Nir Bitton in the wake of last weekend's defeat by Rangers.

The Israel international was the target of abuse including anti-Semitic slurs on social media.

The makeshift centre-back was sent off midway through the second half at Ibrox for denying Light Blues striker Alfredo Morelos a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Neil Lennon's team had been on top before the incident but Bitton's sending off swung the game back in Rangers' favour and Steven Gerrard's Premiership leaders went on to claim a 1-0 win which moved them 19 points clear at the top.

The club said in a statement: "Since its formation in 1888, Celtic has been a club open to all people, with a renowned tradition and ethos of openness and diversity.

"Celtic has forwarded this vile content to the police and considers that everything should be done to identify those responsible and that all appropriate action should be taken. Nir Bitton and his family have our full support.

"We do not believe that it is appropriate to comment further at this stage in connection with this matter.

"Let us be very clear, those responsible for such vile comments do not represent Celtic or Celtic supporters. They are faceless and nameless.

Rangers v Celtic – Scottish Premiership – Ibrox Stadium
Nir Bitton was dismissed in the defeat to Rangers last weekend (Andrew Milligan/PA)

"For certain people to suggest that such comments represent the views of Celtic Football Club is hugely offensive and a disgraceful accusation we take extremely seriously. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"Celtic has always stood firmly against bigotry and racism in all its forms and it is hugely unfair to hold Celtic responsible for the conduct of whoever this may be.

"Social media unfortunately has become a vehicle for some of the worst behaviours, indeed, sadly, our own club, staff and supporters are often the subject of bigotry and racial abuse.

"All content of this kind must be challenged and condemned."

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon pictured on January 2, 2021
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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