Aljazeera has put the spotlight on the dispute between Celtic and the Green Brigade in a feature written by Liam O’Kane.
Being profiled by the Qatar based broadcaster is probably the stuff of nightmares for Peter Lawwell and Michael Nicholson although Celtic’s u-17 side did visit Qatar in 2016 to take part in the Al Kass International Cup.
Banning the Green Brigade from home and away matches has brought a spotlight on the boardroom although no one has surfaced to state their reasons on the record.
The away ban was leaked to favoured media messengers alongside reassurances that no action would be taken for the Champions League tie at home to Atletico Madrid.
With that fixture out the way Season Tickets have now been suspended, there are two away matches coming up in the Champions League before the final Matchday, a home tie against Feyenoord.
“We’re unashamed of and unequivocal of our support for Palestine and that will continue.”
I spoke to the Green Brigade for @AJEnglish about their solidarity with Palestine in light of Celtic’s decision to ban the group. https://t.co/XWRGTY6Zko
— Liam O’Hare (@Liam_O_Hare) November 2, 2023
Covering the last two weeks, Aljazeera reported:
A few days before, when Celtic fans displayed Palestinian flags at a domestic away fixture, television networks were accused of purposefully avoiding the display. They had no such option this time. The display was beamed around the world, and quickly shared millions of times on social media.
The main flag bearers, literally and figuratively, are the Green Brigade – an “ultras” group formed in 2006, renowned for their Irish Republicanism and unflinching support for the Palestinian cause.
It’s a position that has attracted many admirers but often puts them at loggerheads with the club’s board, which is more politically conservative than the fanbase.
Fearful of penalties from football’s governing bodies, the club urged fans not to heed the Green Brigade’s call to show support for Palestine at the Atletico Madrid game, releasing a statement asking “that banners, flags and symbols relating to the conflict and those countries involved in it are not displayed at Celtic Park at this time”.
There seems to be very little middle ground for negotiating between the Board and the Green Brigade.
Clearly issues have been brewing, or tolerated, for some time. Rather than deal with these with the individuals involved the club seems to have waded in with blanket action that has brought additional attention to the issues.
Celtic Park was fairly subdued last night, home midweek matches rarely bring out the best in supporters but a wet November night without the Green Brigade left the away fans and Kano kids competing with each other.
The clout, influence and reach of Aljazeera shouldn’t be underestimated, if there was some imagination and ambition within the Celtic boardroom there might just be an opportunity out there.
CLICK HERE for full report.
This is the Benn’a sports team in Gaza. “We thank Celtic fans for this stand and for their ongoing solidarity to the Palestinian people in Gaza,” their manager Hazem Tabash, said about the display against Atletico Madrid. pic.twitter.com/DnRzIXFZyw
— Liam O’Hare (@Liam_O_Hare) November 2, 2023
Are Celtic right to suspend Season Tickets for Green Brigade members?
Yes, the board are protecting their business
No, they are badly out of touch
I watch AlJazeera due to the West’s backing of Israel and the content of Western media, just trying to get some balance and a better understanding of the war in Gaza. I say war but it’s fast becoming genocide and the Israeli’s / Jews should know all about that; yet, war crimes persist. The west has only today called for a ceasefire to enable foreign nationalists and others to leave Gaza.
The grey brigade board @CP are shameful and pathetic, they should tell the Israeli manager, NO MORE, and work with the Green Brigade to resolve issues.
The board seem to get farther and farther away from Celtic FC’s founding principles year after year.
They either do the right thing or get them out ASAP
Great job Joe
HH
Celtic’s “founding principles” are nothing to do with political extremism. Keep politics out of Paradise.
You don’t know what you are talking about!
Do you|?
Al Jazeera, isn’t that an Arab comedian ?
No. You are the comedian!
Shame on you John S!
Go back to whence you came!
Did you say something?
“Celtic’s founding principles are nothing to do with political extremism “ ? If only we could ask Michael Davitt what he thought of that statement eh ?
Thought GB didn’t talk to media
Editor: UK media.