Suspended; Celtic Axe Green Brigade Ahead of St Mirren Clash

It has come to light on Tuesday that Celtic’s ultra group, ‘The Green Brigade’, has seen their season tickets suspended indefinitely.

A member of this group, who is also a season ticket holder in the standing section of Celtic Park, shared a screenshot of what appears to be a club email. This communication suggests that the group’s access cards will be deactivated for the upcoming St Mirren match and will remain so until further notice.

This development follows the recent decision by the Celtic board to prohibit the group from attending away matches. Over the years, the relationship between the club and the Green Brigade has been tumultuous, with several confrontations.

The club’s message which CeltsAreHere have got a hold of, reads:

“We wish to inform that due to consistent incidents of inappropriate behaviour linked to the ‘Green Brigade’, the Club has decided to suspend the season tickets of all members associated with this group. This suspension will remain in place until further discussions and reviews regarding adherence to Ground Regulations, the Rail Seating Safety Code of Conduct, and Club communications.

Consequently, your ticket will not be valid for our match against St. Mirren tomorrow evening. Moreover, access to away match tickets for members of this group will also be suspended.

Ensuring the safety of every supporter at Celtic Park is our utmost priority. Given the significant safety concerns, the Club believes this immediate action, though regrettable, is essential.

We have also reached out to the group’s representative, building on our previous communications since September and ongoing discussions over the summer.

For any queries related to the Rail Seating Section, please contact railseating@celticfc.co.uk.”

The current tension between the club and the group is palpable. The club is increasingly frustrated by the group’s continual breaches of rules and the safety concerns arising from the use of pyrotechnics. Additionally, the club has expressed its displeasure with the ‘pig watch’ social media campaign, where the group posts photographs of attending police officers, prominently displaying their faces.

While the club has made efforts to moderate some of the group’s actions that have tarnished its reputation and resulted in UEFA fines, the Green Brigade remains defiant. Their anti-establishment stance means that pleas from the club often go unheeded.

Opinions about the Green Brigade are divided among the fans. While many appreciate the vibrancy and energy they bring to the stadium, others are critical of their actions. Some supporters ardently support the group’s principles and objectives.

With the absence of the ultras group for the St Mirren match, the atmosphere at Celtic Park on a chilly Wednesday evening might be subdued. Historically, this singing section has been the heart of the stadium’s ambience. While some fans are content with the Green Brigade leading the chants, others reminisce about times, like during O’Neill’s tenure, when the entire stadium resonated with energy, not just a single section.