Green Brigade banned from Celtic Park after police and stewards ‘assaulted’

Celtic have banned the Green Brigade for three matches after police officers and stewards were ‘assaulted’ during the Premiership victory over Falkirk last Wednesday.

The club claim ‘100 individuals from the Green Brigade group took part in a coordinated and orchestrated action’ to rescue an individual after he was involved in an incident with a staff member.

The move comes amid recent protests against the Celtic board, with the Scottish champions in turmoil off the pitch leading to Brendan Rodgers’ resignation and Martin O’Neill’s return as interim manager.

A club statement read: ‘A member of our matchday staff while conducting a routine ticket check at the front of the rail seating Section at Celtic Park was assaulted by an individual. Two police officers intervened and attempted to arrest the individual in question.

‘Subsequently, around 100 individuals took part in a coordinated and orchestrated action to “rescue” that individual. Many 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. 

Members of the Green Brigade have been banned from attending the next three home matches

The incident which led to the ban came during Celtic’s win over Falkirk last Wednesday

The move comes amid the recent protests made by the Celtic supporters against the board

‘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. In July, as a result of warnings for repeated serious safety and security-related breaches of the club’s policies and protocols, the club determined that a suspended sanction would be applied to the Green Brigade group.

‘They were notified that any future breaches would result in the group’s members being suspended from attending three home matches, and access to away matches would also be suspended for the relevant period.

‘The club issued a suspended sanction in July to give the group an opportunity to demonstrate their willingness to cooperate with the club to ensure the rail seating section is safe, well-managed and can be enjoyed by all fans.

‘Following this latest incident, the club can confirm this sanction will now be applied, beginning from this weekend.

‘For our staff and police to be assaulted in this way is simply unacceptable. This was a serious and violent incident which cannot be accepted and the club has no choice but to address this behaviour in the strongest terms.

‘Celtic Park cannot be a place for this kind of behaviour and the club must act in the wider interests and safety of everyone who attends our matches.’

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland added: ‘We utterly condemn the unacceptable disorder within Celtic Park after two officers and a steward were assaulted by a large group of fans. 

‘No-one should be harmed or intimidated while carrying out their duties and being assaulted is not part of the job. 

‘This type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated, and we are doing everything we can to trace those involved and hold them accountable.’