A Belfast based security expert has voiced his fears about ticketing arrangements for Friday’s match between Linfield and Celtic.
Despite switching the game to Friday because of security concerns there has been a virtual open door ticketing policy with tickets available to buy at the club shop, online from Ticketmaster and also via numerous third party ‘matching sites’.
Windsor Park’s capacity has a capacity for18,000 fans but on Saturday less than 2,000 supporters turned up for Saturday’s friendly with Hearts.
There are dozens of Celtic supporters clubs in Belfast with members keen on going to the match with the arrival of green and white shirts certain to attract the undesirables who’ll spend this week celebrating their hatred for Catholics.
Describing arrangements as a ‘textbook of how not to handle the situation’ Andrew McQuillan, son of former PSNI Chief Alan, told the Irish News of his concerns for Friday’s match.
“The problem is Celtic thought the best way to handle this was just to not let travelling fans go,” McQuillan said. “But, from experience, they must have realised this wouldn’t be the case.
“Fans routinely get banned from European games, but that doesn’t stop them going.
“I would have significant reservations in relation to how fans will get safely to and from the stadium, because there’s just so many avenues for the police to cover.”
Due to the stadium’s location closing down nearby streets isn’t an option with PSNI left with the complex problem of crowd control.
McQuillan added: “The situation we’re in now is managing potential disorder – not preventing it.
“Should [Linfield] decide to ban Celtic colours from the stadium, then there will be trouble at the gates for any Celtic fans trying to gain entry.
“If I was in charge of safety I would be making a last ditch effort to accommodate Celtic fans and let them in.”
It’s believed that a contingency plan is in place to reserve an area of the stadium for Celtic fans with that option safer than leaving them outside with valid match tickets.
