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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Celtic 'deny' Green Brigade pre-match access as 'break in and threats' revealed

The Green Brigade will reportedly be refused pre-match access for the match against Atletico Madrid.

It's being reported that the supporter group will not have early access into the stadium for the Champions League clash under new restrictions from Celtic.

The fan group often sets up tifos or displays at Celtic Park but it's claimed the group won't be granted early access tomorrow night.

The Daily Record reports Celtic have put further restrictions on the group after "recent flashpoints".

It's claimed members of the group broke into the stadium during the match against Lazio with threatening behaviour towards staff also reported.

It's further stated that there are fears over matchday police officers being photographed and their identities being shared online.

It comes as the club and Celtic fan group are locked in a feud after pro-Palestine displays at Parkhead and the Green Brigade being banned from away matches.

Celtic chiefs distanced the club from a display offering support to Palestine from Green Brigade members inside the stadium.

And members of the group were then banned from attending away matches - however, it's disputed that this was in any way related to the political displays.

Instead, reports suggested the club held concerns for weeks before the banning order.

The Green Brigade have already shared their intention for another show of support to Palestine amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.

The group urged supporters to raise Palestinian flags ahead of the match with Atletico and announced flags will be distributed outside the ground ahead of the fixture.

On Tuesday night, the Green Brigade blasted "disingenuous claims" from Celtic over the banning orders and insisted Palestine displays fuelled the decision.

The statement shared on social media reads: "In 2016, Celtic fans faced pressure and intimidation before flying the flag for Palestine. In the aftermath, Peter Lawwell advised us that we were "finished" - it was only the widespread positive reaction and subsequent fundraising which deterred the Celtic Board from banning us.

"The legacy of those events is Aida Celtic, a project which we are deeply proud of, entrenches our connection with Palestine and epitomises the ethos of Celtic Football Club.

"Today, we are in familiar territory and already being sanctioned by the Board. Currently, hundreds of fans are suspended from away matches due to an association with the Green Brigade; despite receiving no correspondence, no allegations, nor any detail regarding any investigatory process.

"The suspension was communicated to the Green Brigade on Friday (27/10) afternoon ahead of the Hearts match on Sunday afternoon (29/10) despite alleged concerns dating back four weeks.

"In addition to this, the Green Brigade face further restrictions at Celtic Park designed to impede on our support and use of our standard matchday materials. We are determined to overcome these and provide full backing for the team as always.

"Despite disingenuous claims, we have absolutely no doubt that these sanctions are motivated by a desire to quash political expression within the Celtic support, specifically in relation to Palestine at this time."

The statement added: "In spite of this, and any further obstruction, we once again encourage fans to courageously fly the flag for Palestine. For those unable to obtain a flag, the Green Brigade will distribute thousands of flags outside the stadium. While it would be easier to distribute flags inside, we are prohibited from bringing the flags into the stadium.

"We respect the right of all fans who wish not to participate in such an action, however equally we ask that the same respect and freedom is afforded to all fans who do."

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