November 1 – Scottish champions Celtic have banned season ticket holders belonging to the so-called Green Brigade, one of the club’s supporter groups, from attending home matches after “repeated incidents of unacceptable conduct”.
The move comes after the group’s coordination of a display showing solidarity with Palestine at the Champions League game against Atletico Madrid last week.
Wary of UEFA disciplinary action, Celtic had asked fans not to bring any flags associated with the Middle East conflict. The club have been fined by UEFA twice this season for displays linked to the Green Brigade.
Thousands of supporters defied the club’s appeal by displaying Palestine flags and now those attached to the Green Brigade have had their season tickets withdrawn indefinitely. They are already banned from receiving tickets for away games.
The Green Brigade, which occupy the north curve of Celtic Park, traditionally organise a tifo – a choreographed display involving a large banner or image – for major games.
Celtic said there had been a “serious escalation” in unacceptable behaviour by the fans’ group including pyrotechnics at Feyenoord on September 19.
A Celtic spokesperson said: “To avoid any misunderstanding, the progressive steps taken by the club over a period of time are as a result of an increasingly serious escalation in unacceptable behaviours and non-compliance with applicable regulations, at matches at Celtic Park and away grounds over a period of time, which are creating serious safety concerns and other issues.”
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