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The great Green Brigade debate

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There’s little doubt about the biggest debating point over the weekend for Celtic fans- the fall out between the club and the Green Brigade.

The banners at the match against Linfield have resulted in a two match closure of the standing section at Celtic Park and an outburst of opinions covering every viewpoint.

Some folk want to see all facilities inside the ground withdrawn from the ultra group while some feel that they have every right to express opinions that could leave the club open to fines and punishments from the football authorities.

Even though the club magazine once published a similar type image there’s little doubt that most fans didn’t approve of an image of Brendan Rodgers appearing, the statement from the manager, diplomatic as ever, carried a serious warning.

Whether they like it or not rules are rules and certain types of banners and songs are out of bounds inside Celtic Park.

Social and political beliefs can be expressed on line or elsewhere but Celtic Park in 2017 isn’t the place for political comment.

Of course Irish politics played a big part in the club’s early days, MP’s and Lord’s from the Labour and Conservative parties have recently sat on the board but a football ground can. no longer be a political rally.

Managing the relationship with an Ultras group is a delicate matter but Celtic can control what sort of banners come in to the stadium.

Across the ground it’s difficult to get an umbrella past the stewards, a golf brolly is a complete no-no.

The debate and arguments are bound to rumble on over the coming weeks with Celtic’s detractors sitting smugly on the sidelines delighted that the heat has been taken away from a decade of cheating from their favourite companies.

IN FAVOUR

GG69 said: “A point of note here is that all this GB guff is deflecting away that the real focus of scrutiny which is STRIP THE TITLES AND CUPS. This is all an engineered ploy by certain people to try and shift the focus away from Regan and Dungcaster allowing cheating to occur in our game for years and to attempt to split the Celtic Support down the middle at the same time.

“WE all must FOCUS on the real issue of Stripping the STOLEN TITLES AND CUPS and getting rid of the Scottish Muppet show with blazers and rubber brogues on ONCE AND FOR ALL.2.

Zoso7 added: “I’d have preferred them to have at least acknowledged that they may have been a tad out of order with the flares and paramilitary banners and said ok hands up we went to far and cost the club money.

But you gotta admire the way the put themselves across very eloquent on the abuse against our players the cheating over at the den of iniquity and the boards lack of support.
I’d hate to see a divide between club and Celtic supporters but right now looks like we have a stand off.

“Sad times.

“A sorry and move on whilst asking for the club to be more forthright in their pursuit for justice would have sufficed.”

Crown St Bhoy added: “Agree with the accusation(s) against the Celtic board’s inaction but would like to see a change in the political stile of the GB.

“It’s clear there needs to be urgent conciliatory meeting(s) before this festers.
It’s clear also that BR didn’t like his portrayal on one of the banners so this must be respected.

“The Celtic board need to be less obscure with their announcements re BTC, sectarian and racist behaviour towards players, staff and indeed fans, bias against all things Celtic from SMSM and within the SFA/SPFL, the successive years of cheating (still ongoing) and also be more honest and clear with all fans’ representatives towards how they intend to move forward with such issues.

“If they have any intent tell us; if they do tell us, publicly!

AGAINST THE GREEN BRIGADE

Jack wrote: “A section of fans within a group of 900 season ticket holders have decided that they are Celtic FC – not the team, not the club, not the board, not the rest of the season ticket holders. not the rest of the fans, not the Foundation, not the history.

“They have declared that they are the club, and, think that by some singing, some tifos & fortress mentality against ANY who disagree with them, that they have this right. Their arrogance is astonishing.

“They blandly claim that the SLO’s position has been undermined by the club’s Security, yet they themselves undermine his position when they smuggle flares into the ground behind his back. Igniting these flares humiliates JP in front of his employers, as he tries to re-assure them that the GB ultras understand. Clearly, they don’t & are willing to tell him one thing & do precisely what they want – regardless of how it compromises him, his position & credibility.

“Their assertions smack of adolescent echo chambers, where everyone feels obliged to agree with the dominant group & no one has the courage to disagree.

“Fact: They did NOT take all reasonable steps to ensure their safe use of smoke flares. They could not have done so, since no-one outside of their politically motivated cell were aware of it. Not even the SLO. No Supporters groups, no fire authorities, no health warnings, nothing.

“They object to effective searches on entry to the ground, but insist in turning up in critical mass numbers so that ANY random searching is completely ineffective. Simply, they conspire to avoid detection & convince themselves that it’s a blow for the “people”, the real fans of Celtic. It is nothing of the sort. It is merely adolescent narcissism.

“The GB or whatever nom de guere they prefer, want the club to consult with them as if they were accountable adults, yet want to behave like sulking teenagers when their mendacity & bad behaviour have been found out.

“Their puerile statement seeks to deflect, obfuscate and blame others (club, police,Uefa) while at the same time solemnly accepting full responsibility for the pyrotechnics at the games. Really?
“You smuggle them in while embarrassing the SLO, in the full knowledge that they are a risk to other people & not permitted at any game at Celtic Park.

“Precisely how in the name of Walfrid could this be the responsibility of anyone else?

“It is fatuous in the extreme to object to a blanket ban on all 900 ST holders in that area is, when you yourselves have consistently applied the same blanket approach when you set of smoke flares that impact upon fans who object to them. You deny those fans the same level of choice that you now accuse the club of in their action towards those in 900 not involved in pyrotechnics.

“The GB also apply the same schoolboy self serving logic when they are asked to name those who set off the pyrotechnics. They refuse, and as Paul on CQN has said, when they set them off they scream “look at me but please, not a my face”.

“Their playground sense of ethics ensures that unacceptable behaviour from some Celtic fans is always encouraged, if the persons responsible can hide amongst the GB critical mass.

“Frankly guys, it is mob rule & gang like behaviour, that you yourself howl down in outrage when you see it done by fans of other clubs. Duplicitous, infantile & pathetic – yet you talk of morality like you are a virgin in a brothel.

“None of this is remotely in the interest of Celtic FC or fans like myself. I don’t know how many there are like me & cannot claim to speak for them. I CAN say that you do not speak or act for me at any time, ever. Tifos are done by fans across the world without this adolescent pantomime that you confuse for real life.

“You have never brought world wide adulation to the club, other than in your own little echo chambers. You confuse attention from many with adulation from a few, and use that to validate your actions.

“We are all Celtic fans & have a stake in the club. You do not have any right to claim that you represent anyone other than yourselves.”

Chris M said: “Green Brigade acting like the boy who cried wolf. It’s quite simple. Celtic’s mission statement states that is a club for all. A football ground is not the place to vent political views beliefs.

“Their closing remarks in the statement clearly indicate that their remit does not equate with the clubs mission statement. Challenging decisions that affect the club is one thing but expressing political views should be left for outwith the ground. If they’re so intent on the need to express these views/beliefs then start a political party and leave the rest of us to support the team and focus on that and that alone.

“Celtic park had a great atmosphere before they came along and we can do it without them again.

James Brown added: “Put as much lipstick on a pig as you want — it’s still a pig.

“You clowns have been warned countless times about pyrotechnics and “unacceptable” displays which have caused Celtic to be fined many times by the authorities in charge.

“Whether you agree with those in charge who make the rules or not, is immaterial. The rules, like the law, are there for the benefit and safety of the majority who incidentally, have gone to watch a football match, not to be subjected to a political display.

“The Green Brigade continually blow their own trumpet about the atmosphere and displays they provide. But the cost in club fines and damages to Celtic supporters reputations far exceeds any benefit the Green Brigade provides. How will playing games behind closed doors benefit

“ANYONE? Ask yourself that, BEFORE it happens.

“If you must turn a public gathering into a political rally, why not use your sister’s wedding? Or your wee brother’s confirmation or first communion? Or maybe during the Stations of the Cross?
Leave the political crap for political rallies and let the majority of fans enjoy what they actually paid to see — a game of football.

“As for “lack of atmosphere” if the GB is banned completely?

“Celtic FC existed LONG before a few hundred idiots unilaterally decided that their group is indispensable to the club, and Celtic FC will continue to exist long after the fans have forgotten about the GB.

“Now save the flares and the political banners for political rallies and start supporting your FOOTBALL team.”

BANG IN THE MIDDLE

Green Dragon said: “Living in not so merry old England and being an old girl hubby and me can only get up to see our beloved team twice a year near the beginning and end of the season. We always get a seat as near to the GB as we can.

“The atmosphere they create is like nothing else and they add to the day and our joy at watching the bhoys. Some of their banners are well thought out and tongue in cheek and there’s an obvious pride in what they do and the trouble they take to make them. But flares in the wrong hands in the wrong place and the wrong time are placing fans at risk.

“I remember the Bradford stadium disaster. I am proud of my Catholic Irish heritage but let’s not stoop to the level of the Ibrox mob. We are Celtic supporters, second to none, let’s stand proud without bringing shame on our Club. Hail Hail.”

Mothegrass added: “It is clear from the impressively worded and grammatically correct statement from the GB that there is an unusually high intellectual collection of minds among their spokespeople. This makes it all the more disappointing that they appear to be moving towards confrontation rather than conciliation with the club.

“I was hoping for an apology but none appears to be forthcoming. There is a waiting list for season tickets. Give the group a chance to redeem their reputation in the short term. If they opt to continue with their shameful antics ban them. Plenty of people in the waiting list would snap up the tickets.”

Kenny said: “Considering events at Linfield I thought the response from our supporters was mild! It should be recognised this game was played against a backdrop of specific & unique circumstances. Love the Green Brigade, they’ve achieved lots. Could do without the pyrotechnics though.”

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