Celtic extend ban on Green Brigade after ‘threats’

Celtic have extended their ban on the Green Brigade due to “safety incidents” involving the fans’ group, which they say include threats against the club’s head of security.

The club also indicate that any evasion of the suspension could threaten the continued use of rail seating / safe-standing which has been in place at Celtic Park since the summer of 2016.

An initial six-game ban was imposed in early November following “violent and threatening behaviour” at a home match against Falkirk on 29 October.

Now Celtic say the block on the group’s season tickets will continue until they are “satisfied that the Green Brigade will engage in the safe operation of the stadium, which is critical for the continued operation of the entire rail seating section.”

Celtic note that the ultras fan group circumvented the ban for a home game against Kilmarnock on 9 November.

The club also state that two members of the Green Brigade “directly threatened” and “sought to intimidate” their head of safety and security operations [Mark Hargreaves].

Celtic say they remain open to engagement with the group “when appropriate”, but “cannot accept recent conduct, in particular threats to club staff”.

The club also stress the ban is “entirely unrelated to any protests or banners”, which have been prevalent at Celtic Park this season, amid anti-board sentiment from sections of the Scottish champions’ support.