Green Brigade ‘deeply concerned’ by Celtic after Safety Advisory Group rejection

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Celtic’s main ultras group, the Green Brigade, have released a statement to respond to Celtic’s announcement on Tuesday night.

An article posted to Celtic’s official website hours before Scotland vs Denmark confirmed that a Safety Advisory Group would chair a meeting on 20 November to discuss the recent ban on the supporters’ group.

The Green Brigade were hit with a six-game ban in relation to an incident that took place during the Hoops’ 4-0 win against Falkirk on 29 October.

Despite the ban taking place with immediate effect, the Green Brigade defied to the odds to be in the stands against Kilmarnock on 14 November.

Ahead of the meeting, which the club will be attending, the group also asked to have representation but have confirmed that they have now been rejected.

• READ MORE: Celtic Fans Collective say Peter Lawwell’s position is ‘no longer tenable’ in latest statement

Green Brigade statement in response to Safety Advisory Group meeting

A statement from the Green Brigade was posted on Wednesday 19 November in which they hit out at the club for the treatment they have received, as well as confirm that they will have no representation at this upcoming meeting.

They said: “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.)

“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.”