The long-awaited Fairhurst Report into the policing of the Celtic vs Rangers game back in March was released in September of this year.
It took six months for Celtic to initiate, process and publish the findings of the Fairhurst Report in which Police Scotland’s methods of controlling Celtic and Rangers fans came into question.
The authorities were accused of heavy-handed tactics in which Celtic supporters were kettled and detained prior to the Glasgow Derby where many fans ended up missing the game.
What was your experience of the policing before the March Glasgow Derby? Let us know in the comments.
And now, the Celtic Fans Collective have released notes on a meeting held with Michael Nicholson and Police Scotland to discuss the findings of the report, and the Parkhead CEO’s refusal to answer one question will not surprise the Hoops support.
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Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson ‘not willing to answer’ questions about Police Scotland
Michael Nicholson has already spoken about the Fairhurst Report where the Celtic CEO said in a statement back in September that the safety of the fans in and around the stadium is the club’s main priority.
Police Scotland used their Section 60 powers in which they stopped, searched and kettled Celtic supporters heading to the game and many complained that the constabulary’s treatment of fans was over the top.
However, at a recently held meeting with Celtic Fans Collective representative Paul Quigley, the Hoops CEO was asked a direct question about the policing prior to that match and Nicholson’s answer will surprise nobody.
The meeting notes confirmed, “Paul Quigley asked Michael Nicholson and Celtic representatives whether they felt Police Scotland’s actions were lawful and proportionate.
“Michael Nicholson replied that this was an ongoing conversation and indicated he was not willing to answer that at this stage.”
How can there still be an ‘ongoing conversation’ about an incident that has an independent report signed off three months ago? And even after looking at the evidence and statements before him, how can Nicholson not answer a simple and straightforward question?
Fans reported having items taken from them by the police with no receipts and now, eight months on, many have not had those items returned either.
A poor response from Nicholson, whose lack of leadership at Celtic is what fans have become accustomed to.
Policing and stewarding at Celtic Park
Indeed, policing and stewarding at Celtic Park has been a hot topic over recent months.
The Celtic Fans Collective’s warning to the Parkhead board.
The Green Brigade are still banned from Celtic Park over an alleged incident in which not one fan has been found guilty.
The collective punishment of fans for the alleged actions of the few has been lambasted by the vast majority of Celtic supporters.
And while the ban has no end date, the Green Brigade and fans in that section still remain locked out with no answer from Celtic of when the expulsion is set to be lifted.
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