A peculiar concern has surfaced ahead of the Red Bull derby in the Europa League, with some Bhoys fans worried about a conspiracy
One of the central tenets of competitive football – and sport in general – is that games will be played in good faith, with both teams doing their best to win.
Interestingly, there have been some murmurs of concern from cynical Celtic fans, that this might not necessarily be the case when Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig face off in the Europa League.
After four games in Group B, Salzburg and Leipzig lead the way and are well placed to qualify, but they still need to pick up the right results in order to do so.
Article continues below
Editors' Picks
Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star show Lukaku sends reminder that his Man Utd career is far from over
Celtic, who defeated Leipzig 2-1 in their last Europa League outing, are level on points with the German side, but find themselves in third place.
The Glasgow outfit face Rosenborg and Salzburg in their remaining games, but their fate could potentially be decided by the outcome of the game between Salzburg and Leipzig.
The suggestion that the teams might conspire to arrive at a result which favours both parties has naturally been roundly rejected by figures at both clubs.
Of course, a denial will never be enough to convince some of the more sceptical conspiracy theorists out there.
Ahead of Thursday’s Europa League action, Goal takes a look at why the concerns have surfaced, as well as a look at the permutations for the group.
Are Red Bull Salzburg & RB Leipzig connected?
While Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig are undoubtedly different clubs, they are connected in the sense that they are both funded by Austrian company Red Bull.
RB Leipzig are known as Rasenballsport Leipzig, but they play in the Red Bull Arena and the company’s symbols adorn their shirt.
There were worries that the influence of Red Bull would see the clubs fall foul of UEFA regulations, which do not permit teams who share a common owner to compete in the same competition.
However, the governing body ruled in 2017 that it was not strictly the case and granted both clubs admission to the Champions League. That ruling can be read in full here.
The idea that the teams might work together to achieve a desirable outcome for both of them is fuelled by this obvious connection they each have with Red Bull.
However, RB Leipzig chairman Oliver Mintzlaff has robustly denied that will have any bearing on his side’s game against Salzburg, pointing to September’s game between the teams, which Salzburg won 3-2.
“It’s nonsense to even suggest the outcome of this game has been decided,” Mintzlaff told Bild. “Leipzig and Salzburg have been independent clubs for a few years now.
“In the first leg, it was obvious that both teams wanted to win. This will also be the case in the second leg.”
Salzburg striker Munas Dabbur also dismissed the notion as “crazy”.
“To think we could arrange a result is totally crazy. We wouldn’t do something like that,” said Dabbur.
“Of course, both clubs have good relations but nothing like that. Both clubs will try to win the game. The link with Leipzig is special for the clubs. We make a little joke about it sometimes.”
What results do Celtic need to qualify?
Matchday five of Europa League Group B sees Salzburg play Leipzig, while Celtic take on Rosenborg in the other fixture and, depending on results, some of the qualification places may be secured.
Salzburg are six points clear at the top of the table with two games left and are on course to qualify, needing only a draw against Leipzig to go through.
That means Celtic are effectively in a fight with Leipzig for the second qualification place.
As well as winning their own remaining games against Rosenborg and Salzburg, Celtic will be praying for Salzburg to beat Leipzig on Thursday.
Group B latest permutations
Salzburg will win the group and go through if they draw with Leipzig. Leipzig will go through if they beat Salzburg and Celtic lose to Rosenborg. Rosenborg must win and hope Leipzig lose in order to remain in contention. Celtic cannot secure qualification on matchday five.