Green Brigade’s statement as Celtic withhold Cup Final tickets

After Celtic decided to impose a self-sanction on their standing section, the Green Brigade who normally occupies the area, has released a statement.

Just yesterday, Celtic FC’s board and front office decided to levy a self-imposed sanction to close one of their sections. The section that has been closed indefinitely is the standing room only section, or as fans know it best, the section that houses the Green Brigade.

The Hoops were sanctioned by UEFA for fans’ actions during Champions League qualifying matches against CFR Cluj and AIK Stockholm much earlier in the season. These actions included the use of pyrotechnics, which is the basis of the Celtic board’s argument in imposing these sanctions.

Furthermore, the issue with the indefinite closure for the area the Green Brigade sits in is that it coincides with the Cup Final match against Rangers. The Green Brigade helps create an environment that makes it incredibly difficult for opposing clubs to play in. With the removal of the Green Brigade, the Celtic board is eliminating a huge part of their home field advantage.

In response to the section closures, the Green Brigade released a lengthy response. So, let’s break this down. First the Green Brigade claims that they have had a healthy relationship, but that relationship has broken down in recent months:

"“As an ultras group, it is inevitable that we will occasionally court controversy or conflict be that through our style of support or indeed our political identity. In spite of this, for over ten years we have maintained a reasonable working relationship with the Club which usually manifests itself by way of regular meetings.“Unfortunately, this relationship broke down early in the season when we had the audacity to criticise the Celtic Board for a lack of investment. Although engagement has remained, it has been largely futile and undermined by a breakdown of trust.”"

The Green Brigade has a great point here, had  investment by the club been done earlier, then it is quite likely that the Hoops would have made it into the Champions League. The Hoops board takes displeasure at being criticised. However, the Green Brigade makes a miscalculation in their next part of the response:

"“Throughout our near 15-season existence, we have always accepted responsibility for our actions and ramifications where justified and proportionate. We know that the use of pyrotechnics may bring consequences therefore accept the inevitable sanctions for using it.”"

While this is nice to say, it is difficult to see how they can accept these sanctions and ramifications. Yes, the Green Brigade may not be able to go to the matches, but it is the club who ultimately pays the price, not the Green Brigade for their actions.

Finally, the Green Brigade does get back on track with a solid argument by saying that the timing of the sanctions by the Hoops board is vindictive and untimely:

"“Considering we met with the Club last week to discuss potential sanctions specifically against our Group, the timing and scope of this decision is particularly vindictive. That it comes 2 days before an AGM expected to skirt by fan-led issues like ‘Resolution 12’ serves further cynicism as to its motives.”"

Imagine you are a fan, or make the investment to go to the match, whether through travel, lodging, etc. but now you’re being told three days prior you can no longer attend. The timing could be potentially disastrous in terms of fans’ relationship with the club going forward.

In the end, the Green Brigade makes some very good points, and the board should take heed. However, at the end of the day, the club cannot afford to continually be sanctioned by UEFA, especially if it wishes to invest in the club going forward. Next time, the club needs to figure out a professional way to create a safe environment, and the Green Brigade may need to reevaluate the use of pyrotechnics.

If you wish to read the entire response from the Green Brigade, it can be found here, thanks to Celts Are Here.