“Sack the board.” The primary explanation for the referee’s decision to temporarily stop the Dundee vs. Celtic game (2-0)

After travelling fans threw balls onto the pitch in a coordinated protest against the club’s leadership, Celtic’s Scottish Premiership loss to Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday was momentarily halted.

The referee was forced to stop the game shortly after kickoff after dozens of balls were thrown into the field by away end spectators. As shouts of “Sack the board” came from the spectators, players and personnel hurried off the pitch.

The halt lasted for around three minutes before play restarted, during which time a number of banners were shown that were directed at the club’s leadership.

Celtic squandered the opportunity to get closer to league leaders Hearts after losing to Dundee 2-0, their first away loss since 1988.

Prior to halftime, Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers deflected the ball into his own net after Dundee’s Clark Robertson headed a corner kick in the 17th minute.

When Tommy Coyne scored the game-winning goal for the home team, Celtic lost for the first time this season and for the first time at Dens Park in 37 years, despite controlling the ball after the half.

The Hoops, who were jeered off at the end, are still five points behind Hearts, who they will play at Tynecastle the following Saturday. They will need to put on a far better show in their Europa League match against Sturm Graz on Thursday in order to recover before then.