On Friday Celtic Football Club confirmed that the safe standing section of Celtic Park will be closed for the next two matches in response to the Green Brigade section of supporters partaking in what they described as "serious incidents of unsafe behaviour".
The ban was imposed due to an "illicit" banner that was displayed during last week's match against Linfield, and also for flares that were set off that night as well as at home to Hearts back in May as part of a tribute to the Lisbon Lions.
The news was not received well by Celtic fans, who were upset at the club for seemingly being happy with the worldwide recognition the fans' display received back in May, and felt that they were punishing innocent supporters by imposing a blanket ban on the entire section.
The Green Brigade have since accepted full responsibility for the issues in question, and have expressed their disappointment at an "unnecessary and avoidable" confrontation that had arisen after Peter Lawwell's statement, where he suggested that those who carried out the co-ordinated acts were not acting with the interests of Celtic in mind.
A lengthy statement was released on the official Green Brigade forum, and it echoes the sentiment of the vast majority of fans who were upset by the punishment handed down by the club.
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 Brigade
Until The Last Rebel
It's an ugly situation for the club, as they clearly took the decision to ban the safe standing section for two matches in order to keep UEFA on side, but in the process they have upset a sizeable portion of their fans.
This statement from the Green Brigade will not reverse the decision, but it may go some way to ensuring that the lines between the club and their most passionate fan group do not get so badly crossed in the future.
That is, if the club are willing to listen at all, which judging by the statement above, remains to be seen.
[H/T: @Irishbhoy1916 on Twitter]
