Dundee have performed a remarkable u-turn after one of their stewards was caught snatching an Irish tricolour from a Celtic fan.
The St Patrick’s Day incident was highlighted on social media but the following day Dundee Managing Director John Nelms told STV: “The flag itself was taken down because it was covering up a board that was paid for by patrons that support the club. That’s the only reason it was taken down.”
On Wednesday Celtic Supporters Liaison Officer John Paul Taylor revealed that an investigation was being carried out after pictures were shared of the advertising board being covered by banners from fans of the Ibrox club earlier in the season.
After Nelms excuse was exposed Dundee finally owned up today with a statement released shortly after the final whistle in Scotland’s 3-0 defeat from Kazakhstan.
They removed my flag but got it back????????!!!!
Unbowed and Unbroken ???????????????? #DUNCEL#StParticksDay pic.twitter.com/AtC7hC4my6— Stephen Roberts ???? (@Roberts1521) March 17, 2019
They stated: “The club would advise that the enquiries into the “flag” incident which took place at Sunday’s match vs. Celtic are now concluded.
“These enquiries have revealed a clear breakdown in communication and decision making and moving forward, this needs to be and will be addressed by the club in conjunction with all members of the event management team. Clearly, the method employed to remove the item from the advertising board was not acceptable and out with the agreed procedures for dealing with matters of this nature.
“The clubs and the two supporters involved have met and discussed the issue at great length and Dundee Football Club would wish to convey our sincere thanks for the cooperation of all concerned.
“In the spirit of the discussions which took place at this meeting, Dundee Football Club would wish to place on record our sincere apologies to the two supporters involved in this incident. We will always endevour in future to strive to achieve a safe and secure environment for everyone here at the Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park.
“It remains unclear whether the steward was working off his own initiative or whether the club had issued instructions that tricolours were to be removed unlike banners of other clubs.
There was also a report of a tricolour being confiscated from a fan as he approached the turnstiles.
On the park Celtic won 1-0 thanks to a last gasp goal from Odsonne Edouard to send the hoops 10 points clear at the top of the SPFL table.
The defeat leaves Dundee in second bottom position, six points adrift of Hamilton Accies and looking at a play-off if they can’t improve on that position.
Faddy should stick to sharing his thoughts with Kris Boyd https://t.co/OJPyHRNe2d
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) March 21, 2019