Healy defended over gesture

Cottagers striker could be in hot water over actions

By James Pearson   Last updated: 20th July 2008

David Healy Fulham friendly v Celtic

Healy: In hot water?

He simply pretended to play the flute - there was no attempt to inflame the fans.

David Healy's agent
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David Healy's agent has defended the striker after he mimicked an Orange marcher in Fulham's friendly against Celtic on Saturday.

The former Leeds hit-man pretended to play a flute after coming on in the second half of the 3-1 win over the Scottish champions.

The incident revived memories of a similar gesture by Paul Gascoigne when he played for Rangers in a 1998 Old Firm game.

Gascoigne's actions were viewed as provocative because Celtic's fans are usually sympathetic to the Irish nationalist cause and he was fined £40,000 by Rangers.

Banter

However, Healy's agent has played down his client's actions, saying it was just a bit of banter with the Bhoys' supporters.

"David has told me he was wearing boots with a Northern Ireland flag on the back," Healy's agent, Stephen Hughes, told the Daily Mail.

"They had been made for him to celebrate being the leading scorer in the Euro 2008 qualification matches.

"The Celtic fans saw that and know he's a Rangers fan.

Chants

"They were chanting, 'Where were you on the 12th', which is the day of the Orange marching bands in Belfast.

"So he simply pretended to play the flute - there was no attempt to inflame the fans.

"Afterwards, some of the fans who had been giving him stick sent over programmes for him to sign which he did quite willingly."