GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 17: SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster shakes hands with Rangers' James Tavernier and Rangers Manager Philippe Clement during the Viaplay Cup Final match between Rangers and Aberdeen at Hampden Park, on December 17, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Celtic have hit out at the ‘small minority’ of supporters that has brought the club into dispute with the SPFL with a landmark sanction delivered for the use of pyro during the League Cup semi and final earlier this year.
Neil Doncaster’s organisation has no issue with sectarian singing, The Billy Boys is a weekly feature of Scottish football but yesterday the SPFL stepped in with Celtic having 500 tickets shaved from their next Hampden allocation in the League Cup.
Kick off in Celtic’s League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen in November was delayed for 15 minutes with parts of the pitch obscured meaning that VAR was unable to function while sponsors Premier Sport were unable to broadcast the action.
There was a strong reaction in the media against the Hampden pyro, five months later the SPFL has decided to take action finding Celtic fans guilty of unacceptable conduct.
Responding to that, last night Celtic stated:
Celtic Football Club notes today’s SPFL judgement relating to the use of pyrotechnics at matches.
Clearly, it is hugely disappointing that our wider support will be negatively affected at future SPFL League Cup matches at Hampden following the actions of a small minority.
It is well known that we also currently face a UEFA suspended sentence as a result of the previous use of pyrotechnics, most recently at the match against Borussia Dortmund, by a small minority of supporters – something which could potentially have a negative and damaging impact on the team and Celtic supporters wishing to attend an away match in UEFA competition to support the team.
The Club has been very clear that the use of fireworks and pyrotechnics at matches is illegal, and presents risks to supporter safety and to the Club under the applicable regulations.
The fact that the use of pyrotechnics by a small minority is now adversely affecting the attendance of our supporters at matches should act as a very serious wake-up call to those involved.
Motherwell and the club from Ibrox were similarly punished following their semi-final the following day.
Having finally taken action against fan behaviour the SPFL have quietly approved of anti-Catholic singing at Scottish football matches while being seen to stand up to pyro and fireworks.
The SPFL were central to negotiations to bring back away fans to the Glasgow Derby, the outcome of that will be made obvious on March 16 when 2,400 Ibrox Season Ticket holders are present at Celtic Park.
(Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Drop 500 tickets off the Glasgow derby do a trump on the SFA impose tariffs on everytime the new club supporters ding the billy boys ?
As much as I agree with the statement made by CELTIC why do they feel the need to add paragraph after paragraph that the SFA/SPFL can’t read or don’t read or understand….. when only a few words would suffice…if it’s ILLEGAL it’s ILLEGAL …. but the SFA/SPFL decide what is ILLEGAL and what is not ILLEGAL and what is acceptable and what is unacceptable….so in the eyes of the SFA/SPFL and police Scotland the Scottish press., sectarian singing though ILLEGAL is acceptable
SPOT ON Tam! Not a surprise. When they allow anti-catholic bands in Scotland to march in our streets. Anything goes.
No statements from board made after shocking referee decisions but Celtic fans are fair game always condemning the lifeblood of the club.
“Football without fans is nothing”
Editor: Fans without bank details are worthless.
Editor. The other day comment on the board putting in coin for the club? Of course they dont we know that but tell me do they even buy fucking tickets?
I just grab my coat
DONT GO TO HAMPDEN, STARVE THEM OF CASH. Then when people see an empty stadium they can then be told about why. BIGOT COUNTRY.
For a lawyer Doncaster is not the brightest?
By initiating this tickets sanction to penalise unacceptable fans’ behaviour (fair enough),
he has now left the SPFL wide open to challenge – to ensure that penalties are applied fairly and consistently?
And the end point could be a formal clarification from the SPFL: what is, and what is not acceptable supporters’ behaviour?
Or, Doncaster could actually be smarter than we think?
He could be forcing the ‘unacceptable singing’ issue – with certain clubs’ support…?
Haven’t been to hampdump since Celtic played there when we were doing up our stadium. They cowdown to the team from Ibrox who treat them like shite because they are that entitled.
Are these tickets that are being withheld going to be sold by another means ? Just say we get the huns next season in the semi or final. Will the SPFL leave 1000 seats empty and lose money, or, will they keep back tickets for strategic areas (more expensive) and sell them through member clubs or debentures. It doesn’t make sense as a sanction if they resell the tickets so they are sanctioning themselves by losing money.
Punished Celtic fans for piro,s but 3 times no action taken against SEVCO for fans ASSAULTING Celtic players with bottle’s and coins . NO ACTION taken by the masonic ridden SFA
That truly is one EXCELLENT point Kevin !
The latter comment here by Kevin is an extremely good one and much more to the point.
Sevco received no punishment for the assaults by their fans on Celtic employees, or for their blatant sectarian chants and singing. I hope Bob is correct in his observations.
Exactly why all fans should stay at home and watch the game. Starve them of our cash az Andy C. Has pointed out.
no action will ever be taken due to the inaction of the invisible man on our board.
The hypocricy of our Board is glaring obvious right there.
Putting their own interests first! Not a murmur from them in the face of adversity.
Shame on you!
Can someone please explain when a semi-final is being played, there are 4 teams involved. Yet Aberdeen FC when there fans used pyrotechnics no action against Aberdeen FC. When the Huns come to Parkhead a week on Sunday, we should remain silent when they sing their sectarian songs so everyone can hear their singing.
We have had or should I say the bams with the flares have had enough warnings that our great club would be getting action taken against it if flares were continously let off at Celtic games,how much money have they cost the club with there ned behaviour,let’s not point the finger & say what about them,let’s get our own nonsense sorted first then we can ask questions about the rest
The point of the article is that our Board only stands up and speaks out against it’s own supporters! They won’t utter a word and are very compliant to all the other evils which exist within Scottish football.
And they only speak up when they are facing also a
“Small Minority”
of interests.
They do not represent the interests of Celtic supporters in public in any way, except when they are condemming a
“Small Minority”
of our own supporters!
Sort of modern day
“Bold gendarmes.”
“When Danger Looms, We’re Never There”!
Got it?