Celtic Suspends Season Tickets of Green Brigade Fans’ Group
Celtic Football Club has taken the decision to suspend the season tickets of members belonging to the Green Brigade fans’ group. The club sent out emails to season ticket holders who are registered members of the organization, as well as those who sit in the Rail Seating Section at Celtic Park, citing “serious issues” with the group’s behavior during their last two matches.
The suspension comes after a thorough review of the Green Brigade’s conduct, which the club deemed unacceptable. Additionally, Celtic is currently investigating the presence of banners and flags associated with terrorist organizations involved in the Middle East conflict. However, the club clarified that the suspension is not related to the waving of Palestine flags.
The Green Brigade members were among those who defied both Celtic’s and UEFA’s wishes by displaying Palestine flags during their home game against Atletico Madrid on October 25. Prior to that match, Celtic released a statement requesting that any banners, flags, or symbols related to the conflict and involved countries should not be displayed at Celtic Park during that time.
Waving Palestinian flags has been a common occurrence at Celtic matches over the years. Following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, the Green Brigade held up a pro-Palestine banner at Celtic Park, which received criticism. They also encouraged Celtic fans to fly the flag for Palestine, despite the club’s stance.
During the Atletico match, a flag representing the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) was seen at Celtic Park. While the PFLP is recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU, it is not classified as such in the UK. The Campaign Against Antisemitism condemned the presence of the PFLP flag and called on Celtic to take action.
In their email to season ticket holders, Celtic highlighted other instances of behavior that led to the suspension. These included the use of pyrotechnics during their match against Feyenoord in September, unauthorized access to Celtic Park to display a banner during the game against Lazio in October, violent and abusive actions towards stewards at Hibernian’s stadium, and the use of an unauthorized banner during the Atletico fixture.
Approximately 250 fans are affected by the suspension, with the email being sent out to around 3,000 individuals. A spokesperson for Celtic stated that the club’s actions were necessary due to an escalation in unacceptable behaviors and non-compliance with regulations, which have raised serious safety concerns and other issues.
The decision to suspend season tickets has sparked debate among fans and the wider football community. Some argue that Celtic should have taken action earlier to address the behavior of the Green Brigade, while others believe that the punishment is too severe.
Celtic has a long-standing history of supporting various causes, including Palestine. However, the club must balance its commitment to social justice with maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all fans. The suspension of season tickets serves as a reminder that there are boundaries that should not be crossed.
It remains to be seen how the Green Brigade and other Celtic fans will respond to this decision. The club’s spokesperson emphasized that these measures were taken after careful consideration and in response to repeated instances of unacceptable behavior. The hope is that this suspension will encourage reflection and a change in behavior among those involved.
In conclusion, Celtic Football Club has suspended the season tickets of members belonging to the Green Brigade fans’ group due to their behavior during recent matches. The club is also investigating the presence of banners and flags associated with terrorist organizations. While waving Palestine flags has been a common practice among Celtic fans, the suspension is not specifically related to this issue. The decision has sparked debate among fans, highlighting the need for a balance between supporting causes and maintaining a safe environment. The hope is that this suspension will lead to reflection and a change in behavior among the Green Brigade and other fans involved.