Martin from the Green Brigade has given a harrowing account to The Cynic podcast of the reality of the Green Brigade suspension from Celtic Park.
On October 29 Celtic beat Falkirk 4-0 in what appeared to be a routine victory as Martin O’Neill returned as interim manager.
Dermot Desmond made a very rare appearance at a midweek domestic match. Ever since the Green Brigade has been suspended.
An incident that Celtic initially described as an assault is alleged to have happened that evening.
Celtic and Police Scotland later appealed for anyone with video footage of the incident. The club published a long distance video of fans leaving their seats to go to the concourse, nothing more.
It appears that four fans have been charged with Breach of the Peace with 250 Season Tickets suspended by Celtic. Some of those suspended didn’t attend the Falkirk match.
At each turn and development the whole incident has become a farce- but not to those directly impacted. It reflects horrifically on Celtic, apparently a club like no other. They are certainly moving in that direction with ‘fan relations’.
One fan had six Police Officers kick a door in at a property he was living in with mobile phones and tablets removed from that address.
CELTIC AGGRESIVELY PUSHING THE GREEN BRIGADE SUSPENSION
The upshot was a Breach of the Peace charge. An issue that normally brings a £200 fine with no other action taken.
Celtic have dug in on the issue. The atmosphere at Celtic Park has fallen through the floor with the only sign of life stamped out from Section 111.
Watching turgid football from a team asset stripped of goalscorers has been a painful experience.
As well as the Green Brigade suspension there appears to be close to 10,000 Season Ticket holders staying away for a variety of reasons.
Discussing recent developments and contact through Brian Wilson, Martin admitted:
I’ve always maintained that we can find a way to get the Green Brigade back in the north curve this season but as every conversation takes place, I’ve become less sure of that.
I’m not resigned to it, but I am expecting we won’t be back in the north curve for a long time, which is a real shame, but ultimately it’s out of our control.
We’ve been told there is no room for negotiation, there is no compromise or give and go. It is very much their way or the highway.
A number of key issues were covered in the interview.
CELTIC DEMANDS
During his March 12 Celtic TV interview Brian Wilson made a number of claims about the conditions for the return of the Green Brigade.
The most ridiculous was that the suspension was enforced by the Safety ADVISORY Group of Glasgow City Council. That is not the case, the clue is in their name. As recent events at Ibrox have confirmed.
Apparently the Green Brigade only has to agree to the same terms as every other fan to have the suspension lifted. Not true.
A number of conditions relating to the Police have to be agreed. It is perfectly legal to not support Police Scotland and also to video or photograph them for evidence.
If the SNP proposed a ban on critical comment or recording Police Scotland officers Wilson would be all over it in his weekly rant in The Scotsman.
IMPACT ON AFFECTED SUPPORTERS
Some Green Brigade members have found other ways to gain access to Celtic Park. Split up they have virtually no impact on the atmosphere at matches.
Those hit with a Breach of the Peace charge have had to report to Police Stations on every matchday to ensure that they don’t attend matches.
For midweek matches they have to leave their family to go along to the Police Station, stay there until the matches are completed then head off home.
During December, January and February Celtic were playing twice a week.
Fortunately those fans will get to enjoy the international break.
FUTURE SUPPORTER/ULTRAS RELATIONSHIP
This year is the 20th anniversary of the Green Brigade, some events are going on to celebrate that.
Other Ultras groups are visiting Glasgow to recognise the landmark and celebrate with the Green Brigade.
Unable to attend matches Celtic’s Supporters Liaison Officer John Paul Taylor agreed to allow the Green Brigade to show visitors around the murals that they have created around their area. There is highly detailed artwork.
Once this idea reached the level of Michael Nicholson and Mark Hargreaves it was rejected.
All recognition of 20 years of the Green Brigade will be outside the stadium. The Celtic Superstore still sells images of the tifo from the 2012 win over Barcelona. The tifo wasn’t organised or paid for by the club.
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