Green Brigade hit back over 'disingenuous' Celtic ban with vow to distribute thousands of Palestine flags

Celtic fan group, the Green Brigade, have hit out at the club’s board following the decision to ban them from away games as they revealed plans to distribute “thousands” of Palestine flags ahead the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Celtic fans hold up Palestine flags during the weekend match against Hearts at Tynecastle. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Celtic have banned the prominent ultras faction from attending away matches until further notice following what the club described as “unsafe and unacceptable behaviour” during recent trips to Motherwell and Feyenoord. The club were fined £23,000 by UEFA for a pyro display at the Champions League clash in Rotterdam last month while an investigation is ongoing into events at Fir Park on September 30 which included a "rushing" of turnstiles.

Celtic have also distanced themselves from the recent Green Brigade displays of support for Palestine amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas after a banner was unveiled during a match at Celtic Park which read: "Free Palestine. Victory to the Resistance”.

The supporters’ organisation has now hit back ahead of the Madrid showdown, citing “disingenuous claims” as being behind the ban, and insisting they will hand out Palestine flags to any supporter who wants one ahead of the Champions League fixture.

A statement 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 afternoon ahead of the Hearts match on Sunday afternoon 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."