The news over the weekend that Celtic has banned Green Brigade tifos during the Champions League games is surprising only to those who think that a single fan organisation should be able to say and do whatever it likes inside our stadium, even if it causes trouble for the club itself. I love much of what these guys do, but some of it is hard to defend.
The pyro is part of it. I’ve written enough times about why that stuff should not be in a football ground. It almost goes without saying now. It is banned. Our club does not want it, and the very act of having it in a stadium is a criminal offence. That people are bleating about police scrutiny whilst they continue to openly break the law astonishes me.
The banners are another part of it. The weekend’s banner had not one thing to do with Celtic Football Club, but I have no specific problem with it. Had they chosen a European match for that there would have been obvious issues and we’d have copped it.
It does not matter whether or not some people believe UEFA’s rules on this are ridiculous – I think so myself; it is the club that suffers when fan groups openly violate those rules.
The club does not trust these guys on this stuff. They can’t. Because no matter how many times they ask them to keep clear of anything that violates UEFA regulations they still cross that line too regularly for comfort. Ironically, it might have been the tifo at Ibrox, that disgusting one which I felt certain would spark a response which never came, which tipped the balance; our club is leery of what The Green Brigade might one day produce in a similar vein.
I personally think the idea that they’d do something that out there is pretty ridiculous. In many ways it’s unfathomable. But the media will be watching, and ever ready to blow things out of proportion. The club won’t allow that. There are too many past concerns here and there’s a feeling amongst some at the club that these guys have been indulged enough.
I think there’s a growing feeling within the club that these guys enjoy being at the centre of the circus a little too much, and a lot of people elsewhere in the stands certainly do, and they find the whole thing tiresome.
Even those who, like me, understand how good these guys are for the atmosphere and are loathe to see any wedge driven between the club and the fan-base recognise that there are obvious inherent risks in creating the perception that one group of supporters has the run of Celtic Park and can live by their own set of rules.
But the club still has the power to impose its will, and they’ve done so.
There is a lot of stick getting given out to them over this, but I am definitely not going to criticise them for it. When the club acts to protect itself, even from fan groups, they deserve our backing.
Well said! could’nt agree more
What was the weekend TIFO about?
Asking for a friend.
I think that we know UEFA have strict rules regarding this and I cannot understand why anyone would want to see the club punishment financially by breaching the said strict rules…
But domestically it’s a different ball game and that The SFA / SPFL let Sevco fans off Carte Blanch to do as they please, well that gives licence to The Green Brigade to do the same I guess –
Sauce for the goose, sauce for the gander and all that !
Whether you agree or not. One thing you can’t deny is they are incredible and add to the atmosphere. Celtic should be proud of the fact we stand up for the oppressed. Look at many City tifo in champions league complete embarrassment. And the atmosphere non existent then you see the San siro incredible difference. You can buy a team but not an atmosphere.
Agree 100%
Couldn’t agree more.
Can agree wi that. They can come away wi some spectacular, brilliant and also at times, funny displays. Tho they’re capable of some embarrassin and even damagin nonsense along with it. Should cut out the political stuff and stick tae whats relevant.
Have to agree James. Have to say I am really saddened at that it has come to this. They have added so much to the support but they seem to be a law unto themselves. Their songbook is questionable to say the least. Things that irks me is that a lot of times our team needs a lift but by enlarge the GB are immersed in their songbook which adds nothing to the morale of the team I have no doubt they will protest and the flares will be used, all against the wishes of the club. It seems to be all about them.
James,I’m sorry but there already is a wedge between the fans and the board and it will never be heald as long as long as these cowards remain in their positions and never say a single word in protest about every injustice against our club by the sfa,referee,s,the police and the government,,who let’s face it all hate Celtic and everything we stand for.
I agree whole heartedly with your views as regard GB. Atmosphere, charity work, indiscipline, etc.
One thing that really pisses me off was in connection with a cup game against the Ibrox team at Hampden last season ( can’t remember off hand which one). They asked other fans not to set off pyros during their tifo display as it would spoil the display, yet they constantly set them off at Celtic Park with total disregard for other fans with health issues, e.g. breathing difficulties. Do they not understand that EUFA, will get tired of issuing fines to our club and close a section of Celtic Park, depriving the club of income?
Then they will complain that THEY are the ones who can’t get a ticket.
Keep up the good work, James…and keep up the GOOD work GB.
Maybe they could just fly the Palestinian flags again?
With UEFA’s high profile support of everything Ukraine,
it can’t now punish CFC for any ‘political displays’ ?
Brilliant!
Would love to see that!
I am right behind the club on this matter James. This group cannot be trusted and possess a feeling of superiority not unlike the groups across the river. There is no discourse with them. They seem to believe that they have a right to do whatever they like.
The Green Brigade’s jeering of the team after the dropped points to St Johnstone at home was hunnesque. Shameful behaviour.
The green brigade are half the reason parkhead has such great European nights, its them that gets the songs started and for the club to give them grief when they don’t stick up for the club against the sfa or allow the other ones (sevco) to get away without a word said is a bloody joke and not right. I agree they need to listen about the flares it’s went on to long. But I still don’t like how the big wigs are willing to shout about our fans but let everything against us go.
Well put we don’t need to keep paying fines unnecessarily ?
God you better not slag the green brigade.. my good friend mr green will go ape shit lol. The green brigade do provide a good atmosphere there is no doubt about that, but it’s when they start that other stuff , that is what gets the club into trouble. Celtic need to protect their reputation, and they have a great reputation but over the last few years these guys have been tarnishing it with their stuff that has nothing to do with Celtic. The powers that be at the club are making a good decision here, we want to be talking about free performance of our players whether that’s good or bad , we certainly don’t want to be talking about banners.
I’d be more concerned about ‘The Bhoys’ singing overtly sectarian songs (oh it’s good to be a Roman Catholic and the like) at away grounds than a political banner at CP. The notion that sport is above politics is risible and a cynical ploy by wealthy sports club owners to sanitise the masses in the terracing, screw them for season tickets and merchandise whilst expecting them to turn up week after week to support an otherwise staid, soulless event more akin to American franchised sports. The idea that sport and politics should be kept separate is utter hypocrisy. Didn’t Celtic as a club refuse to play in Hungary in 68/69? Didn’t UEFA along with CAS recently ban Russian teams from European competition? I hope the Green Brigade continue to push back against the politics of greed, hate, racism and imperialism that’s once more becoming acceptable in society because that IS more important than sport.
James Mac: If politics is more important than sport, please take up politics in the political arena. Most folk just want to watch the match, more often than not as an escape from social conditions and politics.
Couldn’t have said it better myself, James Mac. The continual erasure of the political and local heritage of not only Celtic, but other clubs alike will inevitably lead to the vapid spectacle seen in America, and is already seen with how many supporters pledge fealty to the board that cares solely about the profit they can extract from our adoration – then we turn back around and denounce the board for their blatant greed in not investing in the first team. Christ almighty, make up your minds, folks! It can’t be had both ways.
And the hypocrisy of decrying “politics” in football when the institution itself is inherently political is as absurd as to be laughable; for one, Abada plays on the national team of an apartheid state, and the pride of our club founded upon alleviating poverty in the Irish population of Glasgow doesn’t get much more political than that.
The cognitive dissonance of folks lamenting the GB’s political tendencies then despising Sevco’s support for their bigotry absolutely boggles the mind. The separation of football and politics is a fantasy, and people who genuinely believe in it are further to the right then they realize. Passivity only serves the rich to milk our beautiful game and condemn the working class to further inaction, so as to deprive us of any say in ticket prices or whatever else we are being screwed over on.
The sheer number of folks willing to buy into that faux separation is disquieting, to say the least. I sincerely thought our support would know better.
What did the tifo at the weekend say?
I missed the game.
Don’t understand why a tifo can be such an issue myself.
European nights at Celtic Park are renowned worldwide for the atmosphere that is generated, and long before these tifo bollocks became part of the start of a game.
One of the greatest sights I’ve ever seen was ourselves doing the huddle in a blacked out stadium with just a single green light upon the huddle.
In the meantime the bellowing of the walk on, and the sight of the stadium when the full lights came on.
What a full stadium display matched with an unrivalled noise.
So where was the need of a tifo?
Displays like the one I mentioned would be a far better tradition to have for our European nights, than having a group trying to make the whole night about themselves.
Would say to the GB to be with us than against us plus no need for a rebel songbook either, as still got possibly the best songbook in support of the club than everyone else within world football would be envious of
“The weekend’s banner had not one thing to do with Celtic Football Club, but I have no specific problem with it.” James – ANY banner that has not one thing about CFC on it has NO place at Celtic Park regardless of whether anyone has a specific problem with it or not.
Celtic Park is a FOOTBALL stadium and ALL chants, songs, banners, flags, scarves, TIFOs etc etc should be about Celtic and ONLY Celtic – end of.