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

Celtic fans continue pro-Palestine displays after Green Brigade away game ban

Celtic supporters have continued to show support for Palestine amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.

Fans in the away end at Easter Road held aloft Palestine flags ahead of kick-off in the Scottish Premiership fixture.

Club chiefs previously called for supporters not to fly colours of either country at Celtic Park amid the conflict.

Fans defied the club appeal in midweek during the Champions League fixture and today displayed Palestine flags in the away match against Hibs.

The displays have continued despite a banning order served to members of the Green Brigade for away matches this season.

The fan group had claimed the displays had played a part in the ban being ordered - however, the club cited previous behavioural concerns at matches for the decision being made.

Despite the ban, a Green Brigade flag was placed at the bottom of the stand at Easter Road near where a cluster of supporters raised Palestine flags.

It comes after supporters joined a Green Brigade display at Parkhead in midweek with Palestine flags waved around the stadium ahead of the match against Atletico Madrid.

Supporters in the standing section also wore ponchos in the colours of the Palestine flag.

A Green Brigade statement on the banning order and Palestine displays before the Atletico match, read: "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.

"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."

A Celtic statement on the recent ban read:  "As the group in question has been informed in writing, this decision to suspend access to away tickets relates to very clear and extremely serious unsafe and unacceptable behaviour at recent away matches, including those against Feyenoord and Motherwell.

"As an example, at Feyenoord, widespread and unsafe use of pyrotechnics resulted in another fine for the club from Uefa.

"Investigations are ongoing in relation to unsafe behaviour at Motherwell, including rushing turnstiles and forcing open fire exits to permit access to individuals without tickets.”

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