Celtic to close standing section for two matches after ‘serious incidents of unsafe behaviour’

CELTIC have announced the closure of the section of their stadium housing the ‘Green Brigade’ fan group for two matches due to ‘serious incidents of unsafe behaviour’.

The club issued a statement explaining the decision, which they say has been taken after incidents at a match against Hearts in May and against Linfield on Wednesday night.

The area is the UK’s first safe standing section, and saw large numbers of flares being set off under banners during the Premiership match against the Edinburgh club last season.

And Celtic face UEFA charges over ‘blocked stairways’ and ‘illicit banners’ during the Champions League qualifier against Linfield.

#CelticFC has issued the following statement. https://t.co/PVk5JGy8Y7

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 21, 2017

The statement said: “The safe standing area of the stadium had been working very well until the final game of last season against Hearts, when large numbers of flares were smuggled into and set off under banners within the Green Brigade section.

“It was an incredibly irresponsible and co-ordinated action which could have had tragic consequences.

“The Club understands that consideration was given to halting this crucial game because of the thick smoke, which was blowing across the stadium and into other sections of the support and posed a serious safety risk to all those in the stadium.

It adds: “The fire alarm was activated, resulting in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responding to the stadium.”

A safety meeting followed the match, with the club told to take immediate action to address concerns.

Further issues on Wednesday led to the decision being made to temporarily close the section, and Celtic say they will communicate with fans to come to a solution.

Hoops Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “The behaviour of fans in the Green Brigade section of the ground at the matches against Hearts and Linfield was a serious safety risk, which has left us with no choice but to take decisive action to ensure safety within the stadium.

“There is no room for debate. The safety authorities and the football authorities make the rules. They also enforce the rules. If the rules are broken, Celtic will be punished again and again.

“There is no hiding place from these realities. Anyone who has Celtic’s interests at heart must surely recognise them and behave accordingly.

“Every club which visits here says the atmosphere is incredible and that is something that we have worked very hard to support and encourage. We cannot understand why supporters who are capable of contributing so much that is positive to the club can be so reckless in doing it damage. In addition to the serious safety concerns, we face further UEFA disciplinary action.”

Wednesday’s charges are the latest in a long line faced by the Scottish champions.

Celtic have been punished 10 times in the past six years for supporter misconduct during European ties.

Lawwell added: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but the behaviour of fans in this section is posing a direct risk to the safe operation of the stadium and is also seriously tarnishing the club’s hard-won reputation.

“Dialogue, engagement and communication with the Green Brigade have evidently failed at this time, given the behaviour experienced at these matches, and we are therefore left with no choice but to take action to ensure safety at the stadium.

“We hope that the action we are taking prompts recognition by those fans of the damage being done to the Club and that we can resume meaningful engagement with them which would ensure a safe environment within that part of Celtic Park.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: “It’s really disappointing that we are talking about stadium safety and paramilitary banners rather than our progress into the next round of Europe.

“The fans have a responsibility to behave in the stadium and I would urge everyone involved to see the damage this is causing to the club. Hopefully this is a wake-up call.”

Read the full statement here: http://www.celticfc.net/news/12951