Why Celtic have banned the Green Brigade from attending their matches

<h3>Celtic Park: The Green Brigade’s Suspension and Their Support for Palestine</h3>

<p>On Wednesday evening, a Scottish Premiership game took place between Celtic and St Mirren at Celtic Park, one of the most successful club teams in world football with over 100 trophies and a global fanbase. However, a section of the stadium that is usually packed with fans was noticeably empty. This section, located between the North Stand and Lisbon Lions Stand, is usually occupied by the Green Brigade, a collective of fans formed in 2006. However, the club announced that the season tickets of around 250 members of the Green Brigade had been suspended indefinitely due to repeated instances of unacceptable behavior and non-compliance with regulations.</p>

<p>It is widely speculated that the suspension is directly related to the Green Brigade’s ongoing support for Palestine, including the display of Palestinian flags and banners during games. The Green Brigade has consistently expressed their solidarity with the Palestinian cause, particularly in recent weeks as tensions in Gaza escalated. Their support was evident during a game against Kilmarnock on October 7 when they displayed banners reading ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Victory to the Resistance’. Celtic Football Club, however, condemned their actions, stating that the club is strictly a football club and not a political organization. Former Celtic player Nir Bitton, who is Israeli, criticized the fans for being misinformed and acting as if they possess complete knowledge of the conflict.</p>

<p>Celtic Football Club subsequently released a statement before a Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on October 25, requesting that flags, banners, and symbols related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict not be displayed at Celtic Park at that time. The Green Brigade responded with their own statement, emphasizing their belief in the right of football supporters to express their political views in stadiums. They called on all Celtic fans to raise the Palestine flag during European matches to showcase the club’s support for the oppressed.</p>

<p>During the Celtic vs. Atletico Madrid game, numerous Palestinian flags and banners were indeed held up by fans, including one flag representing the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group classified as a terrorist organization in many countries except the UK. It is speculated that the presence of the PFLP flag may have played a role in the suspension of season tickets. However, the club insists that the suspension was primarily a result of six different incidents, including the use of pyrotechnics during a Champions League game against Feyenoord, ‘unsafe behavior’ during a game against Motherwell, ‘illegally gaining access’ to Celtic Park for a Champions League game against Lazio, and other transgressions against Kilmarnock and Atletico.</p>

<p>The Celtic Trust, a broader Celtic supporters’ society, released a statement alleging that the suspension was directly motivated by the flying of Palestinian flags. Meanwhile, the Green Brigade announced that they would not provide statements to mainstream British press about the situation. However, they later released a statement expressing their belief that the sanctions imposed were unfair and lacking proper communication and due process.</p>

<p>Support for Palestine is not a new stance for the Green Brigade and other Celtic fans. Palestinian flags have been flown by Celtic supporters for years, and the Green Brigade was formed to improve the atmosphere at Celtic Park. They have supported various political causes, including Black Lives Matter and expressing strong opposition to wearing the poppy in support of the British Armed Forces on Remembrance Day. The group has faced UEFA sanctions in the past, such as in 2013 when they held up a banner depicting IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands at a Champions League game.</p>

<p>Understanding the support for causes like Palestine among Celtic fans requires delving into the club’s history. Celtic was originally founded as a charitable organization, using football matches to raise money for the poor. The club’s Irish roots have a significant influence on its fan base, as Celtic provided a community hub for Irish Catholics moving to Glasgow. This heritage has shaped the political worldview of many fans, with songs about Irish resistance and support for a united Ireland forming a core part of their identity. Consequently, fans see parallels between the struggles of the Irish and Palestinians, leading to their support for Palestine. This support has fueled tensions between the Green Brigade and the club’s board as both parties grapple with defining what Celtic stands for.</p>

<p>In conclusion, the suspension of the Green Brigade’s season tickets is believed to be linked to their ongoing support for Palestine. While the club insists the suspension was due to a series of unrelated incidents, the Celtic Trust and the Green Brigade argue that the club’s actions target their solidarity with Palestine. These recent events reflect the ongoing battle for the soul of Celtic Football Club and what it represents to its fans.</p>

Reference

Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson is your soccer guru, providing extensive coverage of soccer. With a global perspective, he delivers match reports, player interviews, and insights into the beautiful game, ensuring readers stay connected to the world of soccer.