The Celtic trust has released a strongly worded statement on Celtic’s refusal to take briefs for the Linfield game should the Northern Irish side make it to the next round.
Celtic released a statement saying they would not be taking up their allocation for the game should it go ahead in or around the 12th July – a day reserved for unrivalled bigotry in Northern Ireland.
The fans are split on whether Celtic should have taken tickets or not but the Celtic trust along with the Green Brigade question the motives of the club in their refusal to take up the allocation.
Here is the statement in full.
Football without fans is nothing
It is now just over 50 years since thousands of Celtic supporters flew, drove and hitch-hiked to Lisbon to see Jock Stein’s Lisbon Lions conquer Europe. As the great man himself observed, ‘football without fans is nothing’ so it is with deep disappointment that we note the board’s decision to reject our ticket allocation for any potential UEFA Champions League qualifying match against Linfield in Belfast. The vague statement released by the board late on Friday afternoon did not contain any clear explanation of this decision – a decision made with no consultation at all with fan organisations, groups or regular European away travellers.
The statement noted ‘safety concerns’ but it is our understanding that the PSNI does not object to Celtic fans travelling and, indeed, Linfield has publicly encouraged the board to accept our allocation and stated they are ‘more than happy’ for Celtic fans to attend the match. We believe that the board is more concerned with protecting the brand than the welfare of the fans or the success of our team. It is a very sad and strange turn of events when the custodians of our own club do not want the world famous Celtic support backing the team in a ‘crucial’ away match yet the home club welcomes us with open arms.
We call on the board to reconsider their decision, and should they fail to do so, for Linfield to sell tickets directly to Celtic supporters. Our away support has significant experience of dealing directly with host clubs in the distribution of domestic away match tickets and doing so again for the match in Belfast should be a straightforward process. This should be done in a fair, responsible and transparent manner and would avoid the scenario of ticketless Celtic fans accessing the home end, which may, in itself, lead to genuine safety concerns.
Football without fans is nothing.
Green Brigade and Celtic Trust
Should Celtic take up their allocation?
Definitely
I live 1mile away and the thought of not being able to go there is sickening!!
Its also very easy and safe for away fans to enter and leave.
I will probably go anyway like many fans and honestly put myself and ourselves in more danger.
I don’t know the set up at Windsor park but to play the game there so close to the marches is a bit worrying .. I don’t think I’d be going .. these folk in them bands hate us and there will be trouble for sure especially if Celtic give them a right beating .. hopefully that San Marino club beat them then the fans can get to watch the team safely
I live about 5 minutes from Windsor,on the falls rd.Been going 2 Celtic matches for over 25 years and also followed a local team that played in Windsor at least 5,6 times a year.Very easy to get in and out off the ground without even passing any local houses.Cant understand way Celtic won’t take their tickets.Feeling annoyed.??HH
You most certainly will Joe h if the Linfield mob find out you are a Tim. Don’t go near it mate,!