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.”