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1st November 2023
10:38am GMT
Celtic have banned the Green Brigade supporters group from attending home matches due to various "unacceptable behaviours", including unauthorised flags showing support to Palestine.
An email was sent out to supporters, saying the club has banned any season ticket holder who has registered with the group pending further review and communication with the group.
The ban comes just a week after Celtic fans coordinated a display in support of the people of Palestine at their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid. However, the club cited "repeated incidents of unacceptable conduct" for the ban.
In the statement, the club 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."
(Getty Images)
UEFA have fined the Scottish giants twice already this season for displays linked to the Green Brigade; a pyrotechnic show at Feyenoord and an “anti-fascist” banner which, according to UEFA, aimed a “provocative message of an offensive nature” towards Lazio.
Other issues cited by the club for the ban include "rushing turnstiles" at Motherwell’s Fir Park, "illegally gained access" before the Lazio match, "unauthorised banners" and "intimidating" behaviour towards stewards.
Celtic asked fans not to bring any flags associated with the Israel-Palestine conflict, however, thousands of fans defied the order and showed solidarity with Palestine.
Celtic supporters have a long history of showing support for the Palestinian cause and, after the club asked supporters to refrain from bringing flags related to the conflict to matches, the Green Brigade released a statement saying that the sanctions were "motivated by a desire to quash political expression with the Celtic support."
The Green Brigade will not attend as Brendan Rodgers' side host St Mirren on Wednesday night, November 1.
Fly the flag for Palestine
— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) October 24, 2023
v Atletico Madrid, 25/10/23 pic.twitter.com/PxPMolfDzX
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