5 hours Ago By David Oliver
CELTIC ultras in the Green Brigade have blasted the club's hierarchy as the plug was pulled on an Old Firm tifo display. The Hoops hit out at 'unauthorised banners' in a statement last week. 1 The Celtic ultras' section was empty when the group was banned in November 2023 Credit: Kenny Ramsay It followed outrage at pre-match banners honouring convicted IRA killer Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane in the north curve section of Celtic Park ahead of the Premiership win over Aberdeen .
Police later confirmed they were investigating a complaint into the display. The group also ran the risk of Uefa 's wrath over political banners when they held an anti-Israel red-card display in the Champions League match with Bayern Munich . Both have been cited as reasons for denying the display according to the group.
Read More Celtic stories CELTIC v RANGERS Sunday service resumes for away fans as Ferguson bids to delay title march NOT SO FAST 'Nastiness' will be back at Celtic-Gers games with away fans says ex-Hoops boss Sunday marks the return of away fans to the fixture for the first time on league duty since 2023 but the Green Brigade online update read: "Unfortunately, there will be no traditional tifo in the north curve for Sunday's derby following a refusal by the Celtic board. "Tifos are now customary for major fixtures and widely accepted to add to the occasion and atmosphere. It is therefore particularly disappointing to lose this when opposition fans will return to the derby in reasonable number for the first time in almost seven years, eager to make their mark.
"Two recent fixtures are cited as justification for refusing the derby tifo, with appeasing loyalists and zionists shamefully being put ahead of the interests of Celtic fans. "Last month, thousands of Celtic fans willingly participated in a tifo to " Show ' Israel ' the red card." this launched a global campaign of almost 150 similar actions across 126 sports clubs from 31 countries and 6 continents.
All followed the example of Celtic: a football club held in the highest esteem for reasons beyond sport . Most read in Football POLITICAL FOOTBALL Rangers ultras slam 'woke foreign ideologies' in banner vs Fenerbahce QUESTION TIME Rangers takeover tycoon Cavenagh quizzed on 49ers deal after Fenerbahce win RIPPED UP Fenerbahce fans tear Ibrox seats to shreds in loss to Gers as shock images emerge THE ANGRY ONE Mourinho calls out 'arrogant' ref & claims VAR missed THREE pens v Rangers "Despite demonstrable proof of widescale support for Palestine across the fanbase, the Celtic board continues to sanction our group, and individuals, for this sentiment. "A couple of weeks later, we paid tribute to a friend and lifelong Celtic supporter in Bik McFarlane.
"Bik was a hero to many and is widely recognised as a pivotal part in bringing Ireland beyond armed struggle. Celtic ultras spray paint train green and white as Rangers build-up begins "While the Celtic board shamelessly commodifies aspects of Irishness, including an earlier era of armed struggle, it sanctions our group for expressions which, again, carry broad demonstrable support. "Despite approaching our 20th season inside Celtic Park, we continue to face the same intransigence from a Celtic board unwilling to engage with fans and evolve alongside fan culture.
"The manager recently correctly pointed to how clubs engage with supporters in other countries; until this happens, the same tedious cycles, distractions and disruptions will inevitably continue. "We urge Michael Nicholson and Chris Mckay to revise the club's entire fan strategy and to do so in consultation with fans." It's the latest spat between the club and the fans' group - who were BANNED from the club's ground 18 months ago.
Celtic revoked season tickets and away access citing pyrotechnic use, turnstile overcrowding and forcing open fire exits at an away game as reasons for the sanctions. Read more on the Scottish Sun RIPPED UP Fenerbahce fans tear Ibrox seats to shreds in loss to Gers as shock images emerge NEW DOORS DOWN Two Doors Down to make shock TV return two years after BBC series shelved It left the section eerily empty for two league fixtures in November 2023. But the Green Brigade returned after agreeing a new code of conduct with the club.
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