Many Celtic supporters have long been supportive of the Palestinian struggle for freedom and sympathetic to the suffering that the Palestinian people have endured. The most vocal section of Celtic supporters in this regard has been the Green Brigade Ultras, who flouted UEFA rules and ignored warnings during Celtic’s Champions League qualifier against Hapoel Beer-Sheva back in 2016. On that occasion, Celtic fans were warned not to fly Palestinian flags as they often do, or they could face sanctions.
The Green Brigade ignored the plea and made a bold statement of support for Palestine, highlighting the issues they face on a televised platform.
The group then sprung into action after that match, launching a campaign named Match The Fine For Palestine. The campaign raised approx £200,000, which was donated to Palestinian Medical Centres. It caught the attention of the global media and did much to highlight the cause they hold high. The response of the Celtic support to back the campaign so strongly also spoke volumes, in what could have been a divisive time at the club.
Tonight, Scotland play Israel at Hampden Park in the UEFA Nation’s League. And once more the Celtic Ultras group have used the platform to protest…
A wall at the ramp used by away teams at Hampden Park was graffiti’d by the group, reading the words ‘Palestinian Blood!’, along with red paint being splattered across the floor. It sends a message that “Palestinian Blood Flows Wherever Israel Goes.”
“Palestinian blood flows wherever Israel goes”
Celtic FC Ultras the Green Brigade have covered the walkway to Hampden in red paint in protest over the upcoming Scotland vs Israel game pic.twitter.com/DUugQXpfnW
— 𝕽𝖎𝖔𝖙 𝖂𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝕾𝖙𝖞𝖑𝖊 (@riotwithstyle) September 4, 2020
The action has been controversial as ever. Yet, it is worth remembering the role of sport and protest during the apartheid regime in South Africa. Whatever one’s views, the Green Brigade never hold back in standing up for the oppressed.
