The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

[Hectic]

....
UEFA is a completely hypocritical organisation as, on the one hand, it states politics must not be brought into football but on the other hand it brings geopolitical issues into the equation all the time. Prime examples include the farce of Israel playing in Europe. Israel is not a European nation, it's wholly and entirely in Asia. If it has problems playing other Middle Eastern teams, that's it's own problem. To add to this, UEFA allows the Israeli flag and other symbols but bans anything Palestinian. That's a nonsense as Palestine has as much claim to be European as Israel if it pursued it, i.e. none. Now UEFA would claim Palestinian flags might offend one of its members... Yet it has no issue with Catalan flags, for example, being used by Barcelona, which like it or not could offend another of its members, namely Spain. Then, to top it all, it bans the poppy yet allowed commemoration shirts for the Rising. I don't wear the poppy and never would, I do wear a lily, but you can't forbid one and allow the other. UEFA deals in horsesh1t, is a corrupt as f**k and makes up its rules as it goes along. This isn't going to stop Celtic getting into trouble but it's complete b*llocks.

Whining whataboutery
Uefa had nothing to do with that Ireland game, it came under Fifa's jurisdiction.
Fifa did not give permission for the  1916 - 2016 badge on the Irish shirts and they later fined the FAI  Eur5,000 for the action.
Fifa probably would not have noticed this FAI indiscretion, only for the whining whataboutery poppy fascists who defied Fifa but couldn't take their censure without whining about the dastardly FAI and their commemoration of the 'IRA terrorists' of 1916.

Classy...

Poppy fascism is a thing for sure

Oh it is... Those who go around demanding others wear them behave like fascism, no doubt about that... But it's also a notion that is whipped up and made into a far bigger thing than it really is and is often used as a term of convenience by the anti-poppy brigade to shut down debate about the symbol.

I don't know what's to debate to be honest. If you want to wear one wear one. If not. Don't. To me it really is that simple.

And yet in all my time living in Wales and the few years I spent in England I never wore one and never once did I get a negative comment about it...

The thing has gone up a lot of levels in the last 10 yrs.  You just have to see how James McClean has been treated.  There are a lot of folk who respect him for his stance even though they wear one themselves but the biggest problem is it is mainstream pressure - expectation spewed from the press as well as sporting organisations etc - if anything it actually devalues what the thing was supposed to be about - in fact it downright contradicts it - look at the gyp Celtic take for it FFS despite making a significant financial contribution every year towards associated groups.  And it is a very deliberate ramping up as well.

[rrhf]

At the end of the day Brother Walfrid founded the club to unite people and integrate communities not divide them.In this day and age no football club,which aspires to grow its fan base as all must do,should be used as a vehicle to promote political viewpoints.What the hell good does it do anyway?If Mr Desmond considers this to be detrimental to his wider business interests and decides to get rid,where are we?

Do people use their County GAA games to sing rebel songs? Why use Celtic.

Brother Wilfrid would probably not have wanted a plc money making racket either. Soccer clubs are no more than that unfortunately. Different values apply to gaa supporters on your second point.

[Kilkevan]

....
UEFA is a completely hypocritical organisation as, on the one hand, it states politics must not be brought into football but on the other hand it brings geopolitical issues into the equation all the time. Prime examples include the farce of Israel playing in Europe. Israel is not a European nation, it's wholly and entirely in Asia. If it has problems playing other Middle Eastern teams, that's it's own problem. To add to this, UEFA allows the Israeli flag and other symbols but bans anything Palestinian. That's a nonsense as Palestine has as much claim to be European as Israel if it pursued it, i.e. none. Now UEFA would claim Palestinian flags might offend one of its members... Yet it has no issue with Catalan flags, for example, being used by Barcelona, which like it or not could offend another of its members, namely Spain. Then, to top it all, it bans the poppy yet allowed commemoration shirts for the Rising. I don't wear the poppy and never would, I do wear a lily, but you can't forbid one and allow the other. UEFA deals in horsesh1t, is a corrupt as f**k and makes up its rules as it goes along. This isn't going to stop Celtic getting into trouble but it's complete b*llocks.

Whining whataboutery
Uefa had nothing to do with that Ireland game, it came under Fifa's jurisdiction.
Fifa did not give permission for the  1916 - 2016 badge on the Irish shirts and they later fined the FAI  Eur5,000 for the action.
Fifa probably would not have noticed this FAI indiscretion, only for the whining whataboutery poppy fascists who defied Fifa but couldn't take their censure without whining about the dastardly FAI and their commemoration of the 'IRA terrorists' of 1916.

Classy...

Poppy fascism is a thing for sure

Oh it is... Those who go around demanding others wear them behave like fascism, no doubt about that... But it's also a notion that is whipped up and made into a far bigger thing than it really is and is often used as a term of convenience by the anti-poppy brigade to shut down debate about the symbol.

I don't know what's to debate to be honest. If you want to wear one wear one. If not. Don't. To me it really is that simple.

And yet in all my time living in Wales and the few years I spent in England I never wore one and never once did I get a negative comment about it...

The thing has gone up a lot of levels in the last 10 yrs.  You just have to see how James McClean has been treated.  There are a lot of folk who respect him for his stance even though they wear one themselves but the biggest problem is it is mainstream pressure - expectation spewed from the press as well as sporting organisations etc - if anything it actually devalues what the thing was supposed to be about - in fact it downright contradicts it - look at the gyp Celtic take for it FFS despite making a significant financial contribution every year towards associated groups.  And it is a very deliberate ramping up as well.

I most recently lived in the UK, for two years, just over a year ago in a very strong military area of England and never once received a negative comment for not wearing a poppy. Also, I saw plenty of people not wearing them. Most people have other things to worry about than whether someone is wearing a poppy or not.

The way James McClean has been treated is bad, so is the reaction to Celtic and poppies. However, they're high profile cases and I would say a few loud voices are heard above the silence of the disinterested majority. Also, a significant minority of football supporters are pig ignorant and I would say it is their voices which are heard.

It's the same with Barbara Windsor telling people who don't wear poppies to sod off, although she later apologised. She's a white trash (very) poor man's Marilyn Monroe. A poor actress who, not unlike Marilyn, became famous because of her willingness to, by the standards of the day, flash her knockers. Again, like Marilyn, she made sure she sh*gged the right people to keep her famous. White trash look upon her as a national heroine, as her relationship with trashy newspapers confirms. Anyone with a modicum of education recognises her for what she is and ignores her. However, because she's loud, brash and cheap her voice gets heard above others.

[Hectic]

That's my point though - the pressure comes from the propaganda machine rather than the people on the ground.

[tonto1888]

....
UEFA is a completely hypocritical organisation as, on the one hand, it states politics must not be brought into football but on the other hand it brings geopolitical issues into the equation all the time. Prime examples include the farce of Israel playing in Europe. Israel is not a European nation, it's wholly and entirely in Asia. If it has problems playing other Middle Eastern teams, that's it's own problem. To add to this, UEFA allows the Israeli flag and other symbols but bans anything Palestinian. That's a nonsense as Palestine has as much claim to be European as Israel if it pursued it, i.e. none. Now UEFA would claim Palestinian flags might offend one of its members... Yet it has no issue with Catalan flags, for example, being used by Barcelona, which like it or not could offend another of its members, namely Spain. Then, to top it all, it bans the poppy yet allowed commemoration shirts for the Rising. I don't wear the poppy and never would, I do wear a lily, but you can't forbid one and allow the other. UEFA deals in horsesh1t, is a corrupt as f**k and makes up its rules as it goes along. This isn't going to stop Celtic getting into trouble but it's complete b*llocks.

Whining whataboutery
Uefa had nothing to do with that Ireland game, it came under Fifa's jurisdiction.
Fifa did not give permission for the  1916 - 2016 badge on the Irish shirts and they later fined the FAI  Eur5,000 for the action.
Fifa probably would not have noticed this FAI indiscretion, only for the whining whataboutery poppy fascists who defied Fifa but couldn't take their censure without whining about the dastardly FAI and their commemoration of the 'IRA terrorists' of 1916.

Classy...

Poppy fascism is a thing for sure

Oh it is... Those who go around demanding others wear them behave like fascism, no doubt about that... But it's also a notion that is whipped up and made into a far bigger thing than it really is and is often used as a term of convenience by the anti-poppy brigade to shut down debate about the symbol.

I don't know what's to debate to be honest. If you want to wear one wear one. If not. Don't. To me it really is that simple.

And yet in all my time living in Wales and the few years I spent in England I never wore one and never once did I get a negative comment about it...

I lived in England for near 13 years. The only people who ever questioned me were the pupils I taught and they were genuinely interested to know why I didn't wear one

[tonto1888]

Green brigade section closed for next two games

[Newbridge Exile]

I don't think the club  had any option to be honest, they create a great atmosphere but on too many occasions they are making the headlines (and getting  the club repeated fines )as opposed to the team itself.

[Hectic]

I don't think the club  had any option to be honest, they create a great atmosphere but on too many occasions they are making the headlines (and getting  the club repeated fines )as opposed to the team itself.

Yeah its like a great player that keeps getting sent off for dissent.

[Main Street]

For the Rosenborg, game you could get some sympathisers to hang up a modest banner in the empty space saying,"They haven't gone away".
illdecide could do the deed (for a buckfast or two).

[Hectic]

I did laugh at that Neanderthal Gregory Campbell putting out a statement on it. It is like King Herod giving you advice on child care.

[red hander]

I did laugh at that Neanderthal Gregory Campbell putting out a statement on it. It is like King Herod giving you advice on child care.

You're being a bit unfair on Neanderthals. Their knuckles didn't drag on the ground

[tonto1888]

It wasn't actually closed because of the banners but safety concerns

[Hectic]

The statement is based on the safety requirements the club has to adhere to, the black and white stuff.

Without mentioning specifics it does refer to the clubs reputation. I would read this as a reference to the banners in light of Rodgers comments released along with it.

[illdecide]

CELTIC FC is to close the 'Green Brigade' section of the stadium for the next two matches after serious incidents of unsafe behaviour at the last two competitive matches at Celtic Park.
The Club is writing to the 900 season-ticket holders affected to explain the Club's position and next steps.
The decision, which has been taken amid serious safety concerns and after discussion with the police, follows events at the matches against Hearts in May and Linfield on Wednesday night.
The safe standing area of the stadium had been working very well until the final game of last season against Hearts, when large numbers of flares were smuggled into and set off under banners within the Green Brigade section. It was an incredibly irresponsible and co-ordinated action which could have had tragic consequences.
The Club understands that consideration was given to halting this crucial game because of the thick smoke, which was blowing across the stadium and into other sections of the support and posed a serious safety risk to all those in the stadium. The fire alarm was activated, resulting in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responding to the stadium.
The Safety Advisory Group of Glasgow City Council, which licenses Celtic Park and comprises representatives from the Council, police, fire and rescue, the ambulance service and other statutory authorities, had an emergency meeting after that game and communicated their serious concerns to the Club, which presented a risk to the renewal of the safety certificate necessary for the operation of the stadium and the capacity of the safe standing area.
The Club has been working with the Safety Advisory Group towards a solution for this season, but the events at the match on Wednesday night, where there were further serious safety issues within the Green Brigade section, require the Club to take immediate action to comply with its responsibilities under the applicable legislation.
Safety of all supporters at Celtic Park is of paramount importance to the Club. The safe operation of the safe standing area at Celtic Park requires effective communication and engagement with the supporters in that area. Unfortunately, due to the events at the Hearts and Linfield matches, the Club is not satisfied that the Green Brigade section can be operated safely at this time.
The Club will continue to investigate the events at the matches in question and to address the issues that arose. The Club will seek to engage with the supporters in the Green Brigade section to re-establish the necessary communication and engagement to permit supporters to be readmitted to the section and for it to be operated safely, in consultation with the Safety Advisory Group. If that cannot be achieved, then the Club will require to examine other options.
Club Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: "The behaviour of fans in the Green Brigade section of the ground at the matches against Hearts and Linfield was a serious safety risk, which has left us with no choice but to take decisive action to ensure safety within the stadium.
"There is no room for debate. The safety authorities and the football authorities make the rules. They also enforce the rules. If the rules are broken, Celtic will be punished again and again. There is no hiding place from these realities. Anyone who has Celtic's interests at heart must surely recognise them and behave accordingly.
"Every club which visits here says the atmosphere is incredible and that is something that we have worked very hard to support and encourage. We cannot understand why supporters who are capable of contributing so much that is positive to the club can be so reckless in doing it damage. In addition to the serious safety concerns, we face further UEFA disciplinary action.
"This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but the behaviour of fans in this section is posing a direct risk to the safe operation of the stadium and is also seriously tarnishing the club's hard-won reputation.
"Dialogue, engagement and communication with the Green Brigade have evidently failed at this time, given the behaviour experienced at these matches, and we are therefore left with no choice but to take action to ensure safety at the stadium.
"We hope that the action we are taking prompts recognition by those fans of the damage being done to the Club and that we can resume meaningful engagement with them which would ensure a safe environment within that part of Celtic Park."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: "It's really disappointing that we are talking about stadium safety and paramilitary banners rather than our progress into the next round of Europe.
"The fans have a responsibility to behave in the stadium and I would urge everyone involved to see the damage this is causing to the club. Hopefully this is a wake-up call.
"The players thrive on the cauldron that the fans create at Celtic Park but there are clearly boundaries that you can't step over. Everyone knows that pyrotechnics, unacceptable banners and ignoring stewards who are enforcing basic stadium safety measures are simply not on. I really hope that the fans take this on board. It would be a real shame if they forced the club to take more permanent action to ensure safety and protect the Club's standing in European football, which is what we should all be aiming to promote."

[illdecide]

For the Rosenborg, game you could get some sympathisers to hang up a modest banner in the empty space saying,"They haven't gone away".
illdecide could do the deed (for a buckfast or two).

Very good...lol but i don't drink Buckfast (court order)