The fans group say the club ave ignored requests to meet and are now concerned that a Council meeting will see standing section closed
Celtic fans have been called out
The Green Brigade have accused Celtic of “emotional blackmail” with the group fearing further punishment is on the way for fans.
The ultras group are currently banned from Parkhead for three games after an incident during the home win over Falkirk, during which a police officer was allegedly assaulted.
A statement on Wednesday night accused the Green Brigade of referring to the incident as “extremely minor” in a letter to the club, which Celtic claim is plain wrong.
A meeting with the Glasgow Council Safety Advisory Group has also been confirmed for Thursday November 20 to “consider recent events.”
Now the GB have hit back, claiming the club have ignored requests to meet and are concerned that Thursday’s meeting will see further sanctions, including the potential partial closure of the standing section within Celtic Park.
A statement read: “Over the previous days, we learned that a meeting between Celtic FC and the Safety Advisory Group would take place on Thurs 20 Nov. It was suggested to us that Celtic FC would use this meeting to legitimise further sanctions against the Green Brigade, and other Celtic supporters, with a potential full or part closure of the Standing Section for the remainder of the season.
“Yesterday, we wrote to Celtic FC to express our dismay at their relentless and cynical pursuit against our group and other Celtic supporters. We requested that fan representation be granted at tomorrow’s meeting which is permissible as per the terms of reference of the SAG. This request has been rejected without explanation.
“We remain deeply concerned at the language and tone in which Celtic FC refers to our group, particularly continually stating criminal allegations as fact with no due process (we vehemently deny these allegations.)
The incident that has lead to the Green Brigade being banned
“We are frustrated that there has been no willingness, at any point, to consider supporter feedback and evidence. This, together with the sequence of events, the people involved and their histories, and the context of fan protest against the Celtic board, leaves us expecting a pre-determined outcome from tomorrow’s meeting.
“To further support that belief, Celtic FC has twice inferred to us that a failure to respect the current unfair suspension will result in more Celtic fans (within the Standing Section) being punished. This is unfair emotional blackmail and an example of them extending an already unfair collective punishment practice. It also follows no fair, logical rationale nor process. It leaves no doubt that they care little for supporter treatment and wellbeing and instead seek to sow division.
“We have requested that Celtic FC meet with us to discuss this issue constructively to reach an amicable solution. The Club has ignored this request. The safety of the stadium operation, including the Standing Section, is reliant on compliant supporters and we have always been engaged on this. We remain willing and ready to engage should Celtic FC be ready to do so.”