Celtic fans' fury after holiday firm bans their Hoops

Aug 17 2008 By Derek Alexander

FIVE teenagers were stunned when an airline banned them from wearing their Celtic tops on a flight.

The boys were ordered to strip out of their replica shirts at the check-in desk before they were allowed to board the plane at Glasgow Airport.

They got even more annoyed when they boarded the jet to Majorca and sawa dozen passengers in Rangers kit.

Now Sean McGoldrick, Ryan Smillie, Kieron McManus, Michael McCoy and Paul McLaughlan, all 18, are demanding compensation from First Choice Holidays.

The pals, of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, say an employee at check-in told them it was company policy to ban football tops.

Student Sean said: "I thought it was a bit odd but we didn't want to make too much of a fuss at the airport.

"The place was really busy with other travellers and we just did what we were told. It caused us hassle and embarrassment because we had to open our suitcases and put on something else.

"But none of us could believe our eyes when we saw other folk on our flight wearing Rangers tops. We feel we've been unfairly treated.

"The holiday was booked in my name and I've written seeking compensation."

The teens set off on their first holiday without their parents in June. The boys said they went straight to check-in after being driven to the airport, had not been drinking and were not rowdy.

Sean said First Choice customer services initially claimed that the Rangerssupporting passengers must have smuggled their kit on board.

But he said they eventually admitted that an employee had made a mistake by telling them to take off the Celtic tops.

First Choice sent a letter of apology but refused any compensation.

Sean said: "First Choice eventually admitted they don't have a policy banning football tops and the woman was wrong.

"But you have to wonder if she knew what she was doing and singled us out because she was a Rangers fan."

First Choice were yesterday unavailable for comment.

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