The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

[ned]

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."

Apart from mentioning the flares, that statement isn't very helpful. It talks about the "behaviour" at the Linfield match but not what this constituted. What did those in the standing section do wrong?

[tonto1888]

I assume you mean outwith  the banners?
UEFA charge mentioned blocking of stairwells although that didn't mention a specific part of the ground. SLO on twitter said overcrowding which I don't see as being the fans fault???

[Kilkevan]

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."

LMFAO!!! Flares could have tragic consequences lol. Would they give it a rest?!?

This is a video from a derby match I was at... I was in the stand to the left where most of the flares were (I've been there when there have been many many more flares but can't find the video)...

https://youtu.be/YoiuPdxdbK4

They add massively to the atmosphere and are a normal part of matches, particularly big matches on the continent and not once have I heard of someone getting injured because of them.

The Brits make me howl with their "health and safety".

[smelmoth]

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."

LMFAO!!! Flares could have tragic consequences lol. Would they give it a rest?!?

This is a video from a derby match I was at... I was in the stand to the left where most of the flares were (I've been there when there have been many many more flares but can't find the video)...

https://youtu.be/YoiuPdxdbK4

They add massively to the atmosphere and are a normal part of matches, particularly big matches on the continent and not once have I heard of someone getting injured because of them.

The Brits make me howl with their "health and safety".

Depends on your definition of tragedy. I would consider the deaths and serious injuries arising from flares to be tragic. Not sure what your reasons for disagreeing with this could be?

[Kilkevan]

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."

LMFAO!!! Flares could have tragic consequences lol. Would they give it a rest?!?

This is a video from a derby match I was at... I was in the stand to the left where most of the flares were (I've been there when there have been many many more flares but can't find the video)...

https://youtu.be/YoiuPdxdbK4

They add massively to the atmosphere and are a normal part of matches, particularly big matches on the continent and not once have I heard of someone getting injured because of them.

The Brits make me howl with their "health and safety".

Depends on your definition of tragedy. I would consider the deaths and serious injuries arising from flares to be tragic. Not sure what your reasons for disagreeing with this could be?

Tell me all about these deaths and serious injuries arising from flares then...

[smelmoth]

Your google not working?

FFS

[Kilkevan]

Your google not working?

FFS

It's working all right. Just I have no need for it because I'm not into media hystrionics over something I know to be safe. You can believe your favourite hack if you like but ultimately I believe all he's trying to do is move copy.

The only place in the UK I would consider paying money to watch a football match is at Celtic Park because the GB create an atmosphere. The rest of it, particularly the Premier League, being at it is no better than watching it on TV as it is completely staid. In fact, I wouldn't go to a Premier League match if the ticket was free.

There is no problem with flares when used properly. Italian authorities turn a blind eye to ultras taking them in (I've seen lads walk past carabinieri, poliziotti and stewards openly carrying bags of them) as do most authorities on the continent. Strictly speaking they're not allowed but that's so they can be easily kept out of family areas of stadia where they're not suitable (ultras are prepared for them and tie their scarves around their faces when one goes off because they smell like rotten eggs). The ones that are used in 99.9% of cases are hand flares which are so easily extinguishable all you have to do is stand on them. Now, there are incidences of d*ckheads throwing them or using flare guns but those are extremely rare and whilst the use of flares in that video I posted bring zero punishment, and in fact the Italian press and media actually support them because of the colour they bring (La Gazzetta dello Sport actually does reports on the choreography at big matches), firing them means a section will likely be closed. Also, there's almost zero point in flare guns anyway as the flame lasts for an extremely reduced period of time.

The authorities in the UK like to mumsy everyone and see the danger in everything. Simply, flares at football matches are not dangerous when used properly. In terms of the "what if some idiot..." argument, you could make that argument about anything.

[smelmoth]

That's reassuring. To be honest when I read and heard of deaths in U.K., Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Portugal, India etc I genuinely believed the victims to be dead. I now know, thanks to you that it's hacks making it all up. Those funerals were a sham. Sickening

[Kilkevan]

That's reassuring. To be honest when I read and heard of deaths in U.K., Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Portugal, India etc I genuinely believed the victims to be dead. I now know, thanks to you that it's hacks making it all up. Those funerals were a sham. Sickening

Do you want to put up links to these reports? Were they incidences where flares were used properly or where some clown decided to fire one at somebody?

Thank-you for opening my eyes though... I didn't realise France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands etc. where they're regularly seen being used, I presumed, safely at matches had the same safety records, legislation and controls as countries like Bolivia and Peru. I thought the countries I mentioned were modern democracies which took the welfare of their citizens seriously. Obviously not, I'm scared to go to Rome, Paris or Berlin now; will I be ok or should I just go to Bognor Regis instead?

Thanks also for awakening me about the hotbed of football that is India.

[T Fearon]

Nauseating to see the Linfield scum come out with "We came,we saw, we closed down the Green Brigade" and laughing.Shite on the pitch,scum off it,but they have damaged Celtic beyond their wildest dreams and caused potentially a poisonous split within the club,which will no doubt lead to Rodgers and even Desmond questioning their continued involvement with Celtic.Well done Green Brigade.😡😡

[ashman]

Nauseating to see the Linfield scum come out with "We came,we saw, we closed down the Green Brigade" and laughing.Shite on the pitch,scum off it,but they have damaged Celtic beyond their wildest dreams and caused potentially a poisonous split within the club,which will no doubt lead to Rodgers and even Desmond questioning their continued involvement with Celtic.Well done Green Brigade.😡😡

Tis only a f**king British soccer club ffs .  Will you grow up .

[Main Street]

That's reassuring. To be honest when I read and heard of deaths in U.K., Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Portugal, India etc I genuinely believed the victims to be dead. I now know, thanks to you that it's hacks making it all up. Those funerals were a sham. Sickening

I replied to that guy once in this thread, I hadn't at that time realised that he's a prize idiot, best to ignore his trolling.

[Kilkevan]

That's reassuring. To be honest when I read and heard of deaths in U.K., Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Portugal, India etc I genuinely believed the victims to be dead. I now know, thanks to you that it's hacks making it all up. Those funerals were a sham. Sickening

I replied to that guy once in this thread, I hadn't at that time realised that he's a prize idiot, best to ignore his trolling.

I'd define a prize idiot as someone pontificating about something he knows zilch about, and actually believing he's right, rather than someone commentating on something he's done and seen dozens of times.

How do you get to be as stupid as you by the way? Do you collect Frosties tokens or something?

[illdecide]

First thing was the link is to a Seria A game and not a Champions League game, the Italian FA is responsible for this. If this happend during a CL game they would have been severley punished.
Second pyrotechnics can burn at 1600 degrees C and you can't extinguish them either, even if they've never killed anyone before (which they have) they still have the potential too and can you imagine the burn you'd get of them...(i've seen the pictures). Can you imagine what would happen if a fan dropped it (getting burnt) in a wodden stand (see Bradford Fire) not to mention that they're illegal anyway and are smuggled into the grounds.

As for standing on your flares you're talking so much shite it's not even funny. You can put a lit flare into a bucket of water for 24 hours and as soon as you take it out it will ignite again...I repeat you can't put them out, the only way to stop them is let them burn out. How we are trained to deal with a flare is lift it with a litter picker and set them into a bucket of sand and remove it to a safe place and then remove it from the sand and let it burn out.

[illdecide]

That's reassuring. To be honest when I read and heard of deaths in U.K., Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Portugal, India etc I genuinely believed the victims to be dead. I now know, thanks to you that it's hacks making it all up. Those funerals were a sham. Sickening

I replied to that guy once in this thread, I hadn't at that time realised that he's a prize idiot, best to ignore his trolling.

I'd define a prize idiot as someone pontificating about something he knows zilch about, and actually believing he's right, rather than someone commentating on something he's done and seen dozens of times.

How do you get to be as stupid as you by the way? Do you collect Frosties tokens or something?

Don't mean to be rude but you know f**k all about flares...see above it bold (Glass houses)