Celtic have been forced to ban a large group of supporters from Celtic Park after a series of assaults on police officers following the club's recent clash with Falkirk on Wednesday, 29 October.
The fans in question were part of the infamous ‘Green Brigade', which have an allocated corner at Celtic Park. The ultras group have been involved in several controversial incidents over the years, and they have received a blanket ban in relation to the most recent incident.
Celtic ban the Green Brigade from Celtic Park
The ban on the Green Brigade will cover three home matches and away trips to St Mirren, Feyenoord and Hibernian. The decision came after the club released a statement explaining that a steward was assaulted during a routine ticket check, while two police officers also came under fire after the initial arrest.
The statement added: “Subsequently, around 100 individuals from the Green Brigade group took part in a coordinated and orchestrated action to ‘rescue’ that individual. Many of these individuals actively sought to conceal their identity using hoods, scarves and face coverings.
“This large group verbally abused and assaulted the steward and police officers, one male and one female, in a confined space and at one point, there was a risk of one of the officers being pulled to the ground and trampled in amongst the larger group.
“The action taken by members of the Green Brigade group prevented the arrest of the individual in question. Clearly, such violent and threatening behaviour is completely unacceptable.”
The police respond to Green Brigade ban
The police have also issued a statement in relation to the matter. Glasgow's Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland described the behaviour of the Celtic fans in question as ‘unacceptable disorder' and commented that ‘no-one should be harmed or intimidated while carrying out their duties.'
Sutherland added: “This type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated, and we are doing everything we can to trace those involved and hold them accountable.”
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While the Green Brigade clearly have their issues, they are also the loudest Celtic fans at Celtic Park, and the players could do with their support as they look to hunt down Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Their job will be made harder for the next month without the Green Brigade in attendance.