Celtic and the Green Brigade held a meeting recently to discuss the potential return of the Ultras to Parkhead for the title run-in.
The Green Brigade have now been banned from Celtic Park for 18 weeks after an alleged incident in the Hoops’ win over Falkirk in October appeared to force the club to take action against the fan group.
As yet, the law have yet to deal with the people responsible for this, but somehow, 250 members of the Green Brigade still remain banned in a form of collective punishment that now seems extremely excessive.
However, in the Celtic Fans Collective Ibrox statement, it appears that the Ultras will only be allowed re-entry into Paradise on the say-so of Police Scotland and to ‘place their trust in new policing and stewarding arrangements’.
But there is a caveat.
Should Celtic lift the bans on the Green Brigade and Fan Media? Let us know in the comments.
Bhoys Celtic call on the board to end the Parkhead bans.
Police Scotland’s unknown conditions for Green Brigade’s Celtic Park return
As with any negotiation or discussions, there has to be a middle-ground and compromised reached for any peaceful solutions to be made.
But it seems that is not the case as the Celtic Fans Collective share what Police Scotland want in return for the Ultras return to Parkhead.
The statement on X revealed, “These concerns [about Ibrox crowd control] are particularly relevant as the Green Brigade have been advised that any decision on their re-admission lies with Police Scotland.
“Should approval be granted, fans in the North Curve will be asked to place their trust in new policing and stewarding arrangements despite having no advance notice of the measures or any input into how the area will operate on a matchday.
“Recent events do little to inspire confidence in Police Scotland’s ability to design and implement such plans, and that concern was only compounded by what took place on Sunday afternoon.”
Are Celtic shooting themselves in the foot?
Celtic appear to be taking a big gamble by the continued banning of the Green Brigade, especially with the closest title race in a generation taking place.
We all know the Celtic Ultras have their issues but what cannot be denied is the passion, colour and atmosphere they bring to games.
Looking at how they drove the players on at Kilmarnock and the scenes of celebration and noise at Ibrox, the Green Brigade’s return to Celtic Park is crucial for the final five home games of the season.
Especially with the atmosphere at Paradise as flat as it’s ever been, but then what do people expect after the fans have become increasingly disenchanted with what the Celtic board have overseen this season?
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