The Celtic Star has always provided a platform for Celtic supporters to express their views and our writers are all free to express their own opinions with only the minimum of editorial interference, removing offensive language or the three letter word that’s been weaponised across the road.
So when an article appears it’s always the view of the writer and is never a collective editorial stance from The Celtic Star.
Today and probably over the coming days we will publish various articles on the club’s decision that was announced yesterday to ban the Green Brigade from Celtic Park pending a review with the ultras group which hopefully happens as soon as possible.
First up is Just an Ordinary Bhoy who is angry at the ban and believes that the safety issues are not the real reason, rather that it is all down to the Palestine flag display last week against Atletico Madrid, something that Celtic deny.
It might be helpful before going any further to re-state the reasons Celtic have given for this ban being issued, as The Celtic Star reported yesterday afternoon. The specific points causing the ban are as follows:
Photo: Bart Stoutjesdijk/Shutterstock
1.The widespread and unsafe use of pyrotechnics in Feyenoord on 19 September, which resulted in a fine for the Club from UEFA and safety issues for, and complaints from, other Celtic supporters;
2 .The unsafe behaviour at Fir Park on 30 September, including rushing turnstiles and forcing open fire exits to permit access to individuals without tickets and pitch incursions;
3.Illegally gained access to Celtic Park in advance of the match against Lazio on 4 October to bring in an unauthorised banner, including deliberate circumvention of safety and security rules and protocols, and intimidating and threatening behaviour towards staff;
4. Abuse of matchday access at Celtic Park in advance of the match against Kilmarnock on 7 October and another unauthorised display, breaching the restrictions previously communicated, and intimidating and threatening behaviour towards staff;
5. Abuse of matchday access at Celtic Park in advance of the match against Atletico Madrid on 25 October and another unauthorised display, breaching the restrictions previously communicated, including circumvention of safety and security procedures and the migration of many members of the group (some of whom were wearing face coverings) out of the Rail Seating Section across the North Stand prior to kick off; and
6. Unsafe behaviour at Easter Road on 28 October, including violent and intimidating behaviour towards stewards.
On the Palestine flag display at the three recent matches – Hearts, Atletico Madrid and Hibs – The Celtic Star specifically challenged the club about this yesterday afternoon and the club deny that this display had anything at all to do with the ban.
That’s something you may or may not believe depending on where you stand on this matter but essentially it is irrelevant as it’s the points above that need to be addressed by the parties directly involved – the Celtic Board and the Green Brigade – if a satisfactory resolution is to be found.
If you are reading this and would like to outline your own thoughts you can do so in the comments section below. Alternative if you would like to pen an article for us to publish please feel free to do so and you can email this through to editor@thecelticstar.co.uk
Over to Just an Ordinary Bhoy as his article was the first to arrive…
‘Low blow from the board, but not surprising. A club open to all? Don’t make me laugh…’ Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Our board has only gone and banned the Green Brigade. Yes the spineless suits have made of a mockery of our club’s ‘Open to All’ motto that we pride ourselves on.
The fact that they are hiding behind it being a ‘safety’ issue shows them for what they are. Do you feel unsafe around the Green Brigade? I certainly don’t, and I know the overwhelming majority of the supporters don’t either.
Of course it’s nothing to do with safety, it’s all to do with the flying of the Palestinian flag. Nothing else, and before anyone starts with incidents at Fir Park and pyrotechnics etc, stop. It’s got nothing to do with that, sweet FA.
The powers that be have had the daggers out for the North Curve ever since the Kilmarnock game at the beginning of the month. Yes those banners in support of Palestine really struck a blow in the boardroom. You have to ask why? Seriously what is the problem with our supporters showing support to an oppressed nation, one that is suffering in the most horrific way?
After all we were urged to back Ukraine during their plight that is still ongoing. What’s changed because that too is seen as ‘political’ is it not?
The majority of the stadium showed solidarity with Palestine as they held up their flag before the Atletico Madrid game. Are they going to ban each and every one of them also? Of course not as that would starve them of what they like most and that is of course money. Cash before principles. That’s now the Celtic way under this Board.
This Celtic Board has shamefully forgotten what our club is built on and what we stand for. This decision to ban the Green Brigade is one that they might live to regret. Many Celtic supporters are angry, and when it comes to ill feeling between supporters and the board, there is usually only one winner, and it ain’t the suits.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
