Celtic close Green Brigade stadium section

Celtic have closed a section of their stadium after repeated warnings to a fans group over safety breaches during home matches.

Green Brigade: Fan section to close after safety breaches. Picture: SNS

• Celtic close a section of their stadium after safety breaches

• Fans in Section 111, where the Green Brigade sit, will be relocated or given refunds

Section 111, home to the Green Brigade, a group of Celtic fans who style themselves after so-called Ultra groups, will be offered refunds or an opportunity to relocate.

The Green Brigade are known for prominent banner displays and vociferous chanting. But the club has acted after the group ignored repeated warnings from the club to comply with safety notices that demanded an end to practices such as “body surfing” and the “lateral movement of spectators”.

In a game against Cliftonville in a Champions League qualifier last month, the Green Brigade set off fireworks within the ground, contravening Uefa’s stadium safety policy.

The group has also gotten the club into trouble with the European football governing body over “illicit chanting” in 2011.

In 2010, the Green Brigade caused further controversy after unveiling an anti-poppy banner which prompted fierce criticism from Northern Ireland DUP MP Gregory Campbell.