Last Saturday, not for the first time this season, we had the Green Brigade’s section of the ground lying empty.
Why?
That’s the question that most seemed to be asking before and after the game. I am a fan who is quite detached from the Green Brigade, but I am a fan of their section and the atmosphere that they bring to Celtic Park.
I have read some fans who do not like the Green Brigade and some fans who think the club/stadium is better off without them. It’s a view I don’t agree with but if some fans don’t want them, maybe some within the club don’t want the group to exist either?
Of course every story has two sides so it’s difficult for me to make a proper informed comment so I will go with what limited information I have. I have only read or listened to what “internet bampots” write and say so if anyone has additional or opposing information to what I have mentioned below, please let me know.
The Green Brigade, for quite some time, have accused the police and stewards of employing heavy handed tactics and of intimidating the group for no reason.
My first question, which I haven’t been in touch with the police to ask would be why? What is their take on this or at least, what is the opinion of the match commander who is ultimately responsible for fans inside the stadium?
Do the officials deem the group to be breaching health and safety or other laws within the stadium? If so, why not tell us what these potential rule breaches are?
In the past, the group have displayed various banners which some have deemed offensive and which may or may not be appropriate inside a football ground. Unless these banners are illegal then that cannot be a reason for the large police presence near the group.
I have to say that I don’t find them offensive but there again, I do find Frankie Boyle funny so it’s safe to say that I am not easy offended.
Some fans have reported being taken aside at airports to be questioned about their involvement of the group. Are the Green Brigade really such a big deal that national security forces are taking an interest? Again, if that’s the case, then why?
Who are the members and founders of the group and what is their background that the police would spend so much time and energy in pursuing them? Have some of these guys been involved in football or other organised crime in the past ?
Like a lot of fans, I have listened to the ‘home bhoys’ podcast and the guys on there seemed similar to a large number of other football fans. We all love going to watch our team and some fans want to be on their feet and singing for the full duration of the match, others are quite happy to sit back and watch the game.
Is it the case that a crowd sitting down in silence are much easier to control than a group of loud fans who are noisy? Of course that is the case but would that be enough for the policing ?
Is it the case that there are senior folk within the club fear that the group may become influential and powerful so they want to break them up?
Given that I don’t sit with the Green Brigade, I can only observe from a distance what they get up to.
So far the police/match commander and club have been pretty quiet, do they feel that the accusations don’t merit a response? Celtic have responded but nobody else has, more on Celtic’s response later.
I sent an email to the club asking for clarification, although, I haven’t received a direct response, the statement released by Celtic covered the points that I was asking about.
The outcome seems to be that the club strongly deny any allegations that they are involved in trying to get rid of the Green Brigade. On it’s own, I don’t feel that is surprising, even if the club were involved in trying to disband the Green Brigade, they are hardly going to admit that they are trying to do this.
What I did find interesting though is that the club have stated they have only received two complaints since December so are the victims here not being heard ? Are the fans making the accusations against the police over exaggerating them ? Are they just not aware of how to submit their complaints correctly?
From a personal point of view, if I was the victim of unfair policing, or thought I was, I would put a complaint to the police and allow them to deal with it. If it wasn’t dealt with in a satisfactory manner, I think I’d be more than able to complain further and be annoyed.
That’s one option. The second option is to submit a complaint to the FAC group – Fans against criminilsation or via the club.
Given that this issue has been given so much publicity, I think it’s time for fans to take action that the club is recommending and then complain if the matters are not fully resolved.
It’s important to remember that we are doing as well as we have, as a football club, for a number of years so we should be enjoying our football as opposed to being in conflict with the club or other fans.
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Don’t no the group but was in the 67 club in dundee on boxing day and the there were no problems with them just having a drink and singing along with the band that was on like the rest aged about 18 – 30 odd so not really sure what problem the police have with them just young guys supporting the team and its time the club and wider support backed them. HH
A lot of good points Steven
Celtic responded to the Green Brigade.I agree with your comments about how someone should deal with perceived discrimination. Report the incident to the Club the Police and the FAC.Highlight the incidents.As a Celtic supporter NOTHING WOULD KEEP ME AWAY from the game if I wanted to go.
Did you see the Celtic statement ? Lots of words saying nothing. Take it if you where getting the ‘treatment’ the GB get you would just get on with it as long as you see the game HH
If I were getting the treament that the GB says they are getting I told you what I would do about it .I would not boycott my Club
I am 67 years of age and have never enjoyed the games so much, Is there an enemy whithin?
Theres something not right about the situation john that’s for sure and if the club don’t know what’s happening inside the stadium that frightens me as a supporter. HH
Some of you may already know, but I will mention it for those who don’t yet know, before the game tomorrow @11am George Square a protest has been arranged, it is nothin to do with the GB, but other supporters who have organised it.. A 15 minutes peaceful protest in GS then a group walk up to the game. Bring your flags etc.
#StandUpForTheGB ?
Hopefully it gets a good turn out HH
Didnt know about the protest. Whats it for
To highlight the issues made in Gerry’s comment below. ?
Despite police later trying to withdraw their statement they DID brief press that their intention was to ‘smash’ the green brigade.
This has become a vendetta against the green brigade as the police employ every trick in their thick black book to discredit & intimidate these fans.
We all heard Tom Devine being told in the Scottish parliament that existing legislation had to change to allow equal number of fans to be arrested.
Against a background of continuos racist and sectarian singing at ibrox and elsewhere we heard of comparative issues of Celtic fans ‘aggressively blessing themselves’.
The pivotal point came at the ‘poppy protest’ when police took it upon themselves to act moral judge and jury over a controversial but legal act. Indeed the green brigade said nothing different than Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (the queens composer) about the disrespectful use if the poppy to act as a recruiting sergeant for illegal & unjustified wars. He vowed never to wear the poppy again.
Celtic have made a conciliatory and smart move in forming an independent panel to address fans complaints. This should be used by any fans suffering harassment.
I would be keen to know his many fans have been arrested and how many have been prosecuted & for what offence.
There is no doubt that some fans need to behave better. Celtic have its proportion of lout fans as does any fan group in any society.
I suspect though that these fans are being treated differently.
As an example I would love to know how many Sevconians were arrested either during or after their teams visit to Hampden in December. Thousands were singing illegal racist sectarian songs without any reaction from political or police authorities & without any adverse comment from press.
Thankfully ESPN raised this issue today and as far as I can see 2 arrests were made (a surprisingly low number but 2 more than at Hampden I suspect).
It saddens me to hear Celtic fans wanting to have a go at the green brigade.
In a time when we are trying to encourage young people to become more involved in politics we seem to be adding the caveat ‘so long as we agree with your politics’.
Give these you people a break. Allow the young to air the views reasonably and peaceably and stop making a rod for everyone’s back by criminalising a group who’s behaviour is as good as any of their age.
Well said gerry
well said mate
i’m from belfast i grew up with political policing long enough to recognise it when i see it. these supporters are being targeted by numerous sections of scottish establishment and aided by celtic plc.directly or indirectly tho there partial to some merchandising of the GB’s labour.(a labour of love) united we stand divided we fall.CELTIC PARK would be a pour’er place without the green brigade.which is exactly what the aim of the persucautors is.
pardon the spelling grammer. bad combination of rage and alcohol and keyboard.HH.
I sent a email to Celtic P L C still no respose WHY are they agains the G B why????? pleas let me know
I love the colour and atmosphere the young bhoys of TGB bring to Paradise its been a breathe of fresh air! The club should work hard on resolving issues with the group and strong arm tactics of police! The new complaints facility should help. Lots of good points from everyone here just lets not compare ourselves to other clubs fans even illegal ones.. We are Celtic we stand alone. Only advice I would give is cut out the political stuff in songs and gestures albeit small. Theres no need to because Celtic Football club/culture, encompasses everything positive in our expression! so guys just keep singing for the Bhoys in green you do it do well. The fhans in every other section of CP are right behind you. Hail Hail
well said Hail Hail
The only celtic fans that I meet that never like the green brigade are normally middle class wankers. but to be fair, most of them didnt renew their ST as the huns wern’t there…
Here here such a true and honest comment Celtic park without the green brigade YAWN YAWN
Dear all
I love all comments but do not normaly respond ( I have lived in Sydney for almost 50 years)
At the end of the day we are all celtic supporters and support our team and each other
Regards to you all
James (Sydney)
is that sydney james then?
carry on up the khyber to celtic park my friend. 😉
need to encourage them no chase them away. Club shop are happy to sell photos of the green brigades display before the barca game.
To be honest I like the Green Brigade, I hate any singing that can be construed as support for terrorism. Most of us have an Irish background at CP but there are some supporters who think we’re Celtic we support the IRA. WE DO NOT! Supporting rightious political causes is commendable, such as Free Palestine; there are occasional songs and add ons from some supporters that have no place in football or at Celtic park. I dont think these views would be held if they saw a family crumbled by grief over a loved one murdered for a cause. If all supporters took a firm view and chastised thoughs who do this, then our fans are well behaved, support like no other and a minority do not give questionable police tactics a chance to flourish. Dont stoop to their level!
Good man ,I have been calling for this for a long ,long time.
Football is or should be a passionate sport and those who do not like what the green brigade bring to park head should maybe try watching indoor bowls.
Well said. Let’s remember ..Celtic first Celtic Celtic last Celtic overall
I find the Green Brigade add something to atmosphere at our games.
With the new laws created by the SNP and others, theses new laws must be shown to work, it doesn’t matter if arrests don’t turn into prosecution it’s the number of arrests that count.
That’s how sad I find this situation.
I would hate to think any official at Celtic was targeting any of our support.