Green Brigade hit out at Celtic in wake of stadium ban

It has been a busy week for staff and fans of Celtic FC both on and off the field. Celtic secured their place in the next round of the Champions League and have recently learned our opponents on the occasion will be Rosenberg of Norway.

While this should be a time of nervous excitement and preparation for the crucial European tie, we find the headlines surrounding the club have a much more negative theme.

Fresh of last week’s s**t storm surrounding the ‘controversial’ tifo displayed against Linfield and the subsequent sanctions taken by UEFA, the club have issued a statement in which they outlined how the safe standing area (Green Brigade section) will be closed for the next two home games.

Citing safety concerns regarding the recent Linfield game and a game against Hearts back in May in which pyrotechnics where used, the club has criticized some of its supporters and imposed a sanction of their own for what they refer to as ‘serious incidents of unsafe behaviour“.

The action taken against the Green Brigade has divided Celtic fans across the globe. Some are taking a sympathetic view to the position the club are in with regards to staying onside with UEFA and the powers that be. Others see it as a slap in the face to loyal fans who make Celtic park one of the most revered venues in Europe. See here what our own expert Andy Coppens thinks about the situation.

Green Brigade hit back

Following the statement released by the club, the Green Brigade have hit back with a ‘defiant’ statement of their own claiming all responsibility for the ‘pyro’ and insisting that they will never dilute their politics.

"Following the club statement on Friday, we take this opportunity to accept full responsibility for both the pyrotechnics display to celebrate the achievements of the Lisbon Lions at the Hearts match in May and our ‘Brendan’s Undefeated Army’ tifo during the match against Linfield on Wednesday evening. While we are disappointed to hear of the impending two match ban that we face, we know that in the sanitised world of Scottish football the actions of an Ultra group like ours may have consequences for our members. We do however completely oppose collective punishment and a blanket ban on all fans in our block is disproportionate and unjust therefore we call on the board to revise this decision.As a group we are defined by our style of support and our politics, both of which the club are happy to benefit from when it suits their agenda. Almost a year ago, after much immediate criticism, we brought worldwide adulation on the club for our show of solidarity with the people of Palestine and the subsequent charity fundraising which was endorsed by the Celtic support. What isn’t common knowledge is if it had not been for this incredible response, we would have faced the same punishment as we currently face. In light of this, and of the condemnation of banners and songs from Wednesday, we refuse to allow a discredited and corrupt organisation like UEFA or a board which has welcomed war criminals and Tory Lords to dictate our moral compass.Our decision to mark the achievements of 1967 by using pyrotechnics was not taken lightly. We took the required steps to ensure that this was carried out as safely as possible and in the knowledge that we as a group may face potential consequences as a result of it. We believe the scenes that day and the response from the Celtic support proved it to be worthwhile. We have engaged in regular dialogue with the club over this matter throughout the summer and believed to be reaching an amicable outcome, however it seems as if events outside of our control on Wednesday have impacted upon the decision which has now been reached.The Green Brigade exists to support Celtic in a positive manner and we believe that this current confrontation is unnecessary and avoidable. We welcome Peter Lawwell’s call for dialogue as we have been waiting on his availability for some time. One of our first talking points will be the unnecessary and unsafe policing operation carried out during Wednesday night’s match, which we believe must be the source of one of UEFA’s charges (blocked stairwells) and could only have been designed to antagonise fans in the area. As the evidence below proves, it is bizarre and shameful that the dub have not only blamed the fans for this charge but have cited it as a reason for the ban.Other pertinent issues to be addressed are the club’s response to the biggest cheating scandal to shame Scottish sport; the insulting of the Celtic support over the Linfield away debacle and negligence of the safety of those they knew would travel; and the silence over the racial and sectarian hatred directed at our player of the year and manager. Typically, the club are quick to bite the hand that feeds them yet reluctant to unite against common detractions.We have built a positive relationship with the Celtic SLO however we are concerned that his position is nearly untenable due to the manner in which he is continually undermined by Celtic security staff. The SLO is required to “collaborate with the security officer on safety and security-related matters” however has been deliberately excluded from discussions of this nature which is in breach of the UEFA SLO Guidelines, as per article 35. His exclusion is a deliberate tactic adopted by the police and Celtic security to facilitate the targeting of our members.For over 10 years now the Green Brigade has withstood attacks from Police Scotland and sadly this will always continue. This also will not be our first ban or forced absence from Celtic Park. The Green Brigade has not only survived through the years but we have thrived – we are currently as large and strong as we have ever been. We can assure all that we will be back in Celtic Park soon enough and that we will never allow our style nor our politics to ever be diluted.Green BrigadeUntil The Last Rebel"

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The statement is a stinging attack on the Celtic hierarchy whom in the words of the green brigade include “war criminals and Tory Lords” and UEFA whom the statement refers to as “a discredited and corrupt organisation”

This row will no doubt rumble on for a while. We can only hope it has no affect on the players on the pitch with some vital games to be played in the next few weeks.