THE GREEN Brigade have claimed there was a “premeditated attack” on fans prior to Sunday’s Old Firm match, with the ultras group stating they are now seeking legal advice.
Celtic and Rangers met at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon, with the away side winning 3-2 thanks to goals from Nicolas Raskin, Mohamed Diomande and Hamza Igamane.
The game marked the first Glasgow derby clash in the Premiership to allow visiting supporters into the stadium since 2023.
Cops were granted special powers ahead of the match, enabling them to stop anyone they suspected of planning trouble.
Officers refused access to the stadium to a large number of Rangers ultras, the Union Bears, leading them back across London Road to the Emirates Arena where they had been escorted from via a police cordon with the rest of the travelling support at around 10am.
Police Scotland then released a statement after the game was finished in which they explained why almost 100 ultras had been denied entry to the ground for refusing to be searched for weapons and pyro.
That followed reports of members of the Green Brigade being kettled outside Parkhead by cops from well before the 12.30pm kick-off time.
Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan revealed that some people had been arrested or reported to the Procurator Fiscal for other offences, including assault of a police officer.
The Green Brigade claim they tried to co-operate with police but refused to submit to police detention and body searches, among other conditions.
In a statement, the Celtic ultras group say they were detained for five hour with no access to food, water or toilet facilities.
They also allege that the actions of the police were unlawful and that none of them were informed they would be being reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
In a statement released on Twitter (X), the group said: “Yesterday, there was a premeditated attack on football supporters by Police Scotland.
“We believe their actions were unlawful and we are currently taking legal advice.
“The actions of the police should serve as a stark warning to all football supporters in Scotland and anyone who values civil liberties.
“At 10am, the Green Brigade and other Celtic supporters congregated at the Celtic Social Club which is a routine practice.
“At this time, there was a considerable police presence.
“At no point was there any attempt from police officers to relay any information about concerns or expectations of how fans should move to the stadium.
“Similarly, there was no attempt to share information in advance through mutual channels (Celtic Football Club) as is often the case.
“At 10.45am, we attempted to depart for the stadium. At this point, around 200 people were kettled on the road.
“We were told that we were being held until all away supporters had entered the stadium and would then be moved along. After around one hour, the police informed us that we had been detained under section 60 of the Public Order Act.
“The reason given was that people were concealing their identity despite the fact that most people were not wearing masks.
“When this was pointed out, the concern moved to hats, hoods and sunglasses.
“We offered to remove these items but this wasn’t accepted.
“In order to leave the police kettle, the following was expected of all individuals including young children:
- Submit to police detention, being held by two officers by the arms, taken from the kettle and into a further police cordon
- Submit to a full body search (including a refusal to privacy for females)
- Give full personal details
- Show ID to verify personal details
- Have hats, sunglasses, scarves and snoods confiscated
- Have all the above actions filmed, including ID documents and clothing
“Understandably, we were reluctant to comply with these draconian and unnecessary measures and were therefore detained in the kettle for almost five hours, with no access to food, water or toilets and missed the entire match.
“In the end, zero arrests were made despite the huge sums of public money wasted on the operation.
“We have since learned through a Police Scotland press release that every person has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal despite this not being informed to us at the time.
“While we are clearly angry at what happened, we are more concerned about a pattern of repression against supporters which is increasingly worsening across Scottish football.
“There is a concerted effort between police, clubs, football authorities and others who seek to control the game to abolish supporter groups who do not conform to their agendas or values.
“It is no coincidence that this police operation followed sanctions by Celtic PLC against the same people in the same week.
“Likewise, it is no coincidence that Celtic PLC fills its safety and security department with ex-police.
“In recent weeks, the SPFL – with approval of clubs – introduced unprecedented collective punishment actions against supporters.
“Scottish football has a committed, passionate, creative and overwhelmingly positive supporters culture.
“Instead of embracing this, it is routinely targeted, often leading to mainly young males being unnecessarily and harshly criminalised.
“Strangely, yesterday’s incident was exactly 12 years since the infamous ‘Gallowgate kettle’ which sparked mass demonstrations and ignited the successful fans against criminalisation campaign.
“In light of recent events, we are calling for a formal review of fan engagement in Scottish football with a view to implementing a formal framework for fan engagement at both a central and a club level.
“It is only through proper two-way engagement with supporters that supporter concerns can be efficiently managed.
“We will begin consulting and coordinating with all interested supporters in Scotland on how to achieve this.
“To be clear, our concerns are not limited to practices often associated with ultras but all and any supporter issues.
“All supporters have the right to be heard. It is only through a formal framework that this can be achieved and ultimately lead to supporters’ common wishes being respected and interests protected.
“We would like it noted that the Celtic SLO, John Paul Taylor, spent considerable time at the incident attempting to liaise and help supporters and has given a report of what happened to Michael Nicholson, CEO.
“We await comment from Michael Nicholson on both the club’s prior knowledge of this police operation and its concern for supporters’ welfare.”
SunSport has contacted Police Scotland and Celtic for comment.
Yesterday, Police Scotland said: “It was necessary to apply containment tactics to maintain public safety and deal effectively with those intent on disruption or non-compliance with relevant legislation, including powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
“As a result, some groups of supporters missed the game, but that was their choice.
“Our priority is and always will be the safety of fans in and around the stadium and the general public in the wider city.
“To support that, enforcement of Section 60 and other legislation was undertaken proportionately, with search powers being enacted in a targeted manner.
“Non-compliance with the Section 60 powers resulted in 90 people being reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Others have been arrested or reported for other offences, including the assault of a police officer.
“A significant number of pyrotechnics were seized or prevented from entering the stadium, which again demonstrates the disregard that some supporters have for the safety of others.
“We will continue to work with partners, including the clubs, to improve safety and order and to ensure that the sporting event is the real focus.”
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