PSG ultras unveil a banner of support to Celtic’s Green Brigade after the Scottish champions banned the group over ‘unacceptable conduct’
Paris Saint-Germain supporters have shown their support to Celtic‘s Green Brigade ultras after the group were banned from attending any of the club’s matches until further notice.
A PSG ultras group unfurled a banner of support during the French champions 3-0 win over Montpellier on Friday night.
The banner read ‘Green Brigade, Until the last rebel’, with the display featuring next to two Palestinian flags.
Celtic took the drastic step to ban the Green Brigade over a number of alleged incidents at stadiums throughout Scotland and abroad over the past two months which were considered to be ‘unacceptable conduct’.
This is understood to have involved flares being set off inside grounds, the storming of fire doors at Celtic Park, the abuse of staff, pitch incursions and the displaying of unauthorised banners.
PSG supporters unveiled a banner to show their support for the banned Celtic ultras group
While the Green Brigade promoted the flying of Palestinian flags during last week’s Champions League game with Atletico Madrid against the club’s wishes, it’s understood that this had no bearing on the decision.
UEFA have twice fined Celtic in the past after the group had displayed Palestinian flags in matches in 2014 and 2016.
The Green Brigade section had also held up pro-Palestinian banners at a Premiership clash with Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on October 7 in the wake of Hamas’ terror attack on Israel.
The ban came into effect for Celtic’s match against St Mirren on Wednesday, with the North Section which houses the group left empty.
Around 250 members of the group were blocked from access to the match, with the ban extending to tickets for away matches.
Celtic sent an email to members of the fans’ group informing them of their decision, which they said would be subject to a further review.
‘The safety of all supporters at Celtic Park is of paramount importance and, amid these serious safety concerns, this immediate action — whilst regrettable — is considered by the club to be necessary,’ the club said.
‘We have separately emailed the representative of the group with further detail, following on from a number of formal written communications dating back to September and ongoing dialogue since the summer.
Should you wish to contact the club on this or any other matter related to the rail seating section, we would ask that you direct your correspondence in the first instance to railseating@celticfc.co.uk.’
The Green Brigade have had a troubled relationship with the club since forming in 2006. Although credited with organising a number of spectacular football-related tifos – a visual display of flags or banners – they have landed Celtic in hot water with UEFA on numerous occasions due to misconduct over displaying banners that were either deemed offensive or political.
Ten years ago, following trouble and damage to seats at Fir Park, Celtic made initial moves to disband the group, but they have continued to occupy their designated section of the ground.
READ MORE:
Brendan Rodgers Addresses Green Brigade Situation
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has finally spoken out on the banning of the Green Brigade by the club from home and away matches.
The Irish gaffer was quizzed on the matter in his pre-match press conference for the Ross County game. On the topic, he took a footballing stance.
Indeed Rodgers thinks that the support should focus on on-pitch matters. He did, though, recognise the tremendous backing the Green Brigade bring. He said (The Herald): “But I understand what’s happened, and at any club – especially at a club like here – that synergy is so important because it is such a force, Celtic. The club, and hopefully the guys who are out of the club, can find a solution. Because they are amazing, I will say that.”
It is undoubted that the Green Brigade bring a wealth of atmosphere on matchday regardless of the venue. Their presence seems to be predominantly felt at home.
At Celtic Park, they were given the first standing section in the UK. Rodgers thinks the club were kind to the group by building this, and that their generosity should not be taken advantage of. He said: “So, the club have clearly reached out to supporters to put that in place (standing section). So, the club wanted to work with the supporters. I just think in life you always have to be careful. If you offer a hand, make sure they don’t want the arm. So, you put out your hand to help supporters, and they take the arm, not the hand.”
The standing section in the North Curve has been hugely positive for the Green Brigade since its inception. Right now, though, it is getting left unoccupied.
Rodgers hopes for an end to the conflict between fans and the club. The double-treble-winning boss thinks the best way to achieve this goal is by focusing on football. He said: “For me, our club’s strength is being together behind the team, and hopefully very, very soon we can find that, and we can support the football.”
Having splits and divisions among the supporters and between fans and the club is in no way beneficial for any party. In the coming weeks, all involved with Celtic will aim for a resolution because, at the minute, the situation is benefitting few.
