The unanswered Green Brigade questions

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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