Disappointing Development on Celtic Board’s Green Brigade Tifo Ban

In a statement on X yesterday afternoon, the ultras group explained the absence of a tifo for tomorrow, attributing it to the board’s actions. The post read:

Unfortunately, there will be no traditional tifo in the North Curve for Sunday’s derby following a refusal by the Celtic board.

Tifos are now customary for major fixtures and widely accepted to add to the occasion and atmosphere. It is therefore particularly disappointing to lose this when opposition fans will return to the derby in reasonable number for the first time in almost seven years, eager to make their mark.

Two recent fixtures are cited as justification for refusing the derby tifo, with appeasing loyalists and Zionists shamefully being put ahead of the interests of Celtic fans.

Last month, thousands of Celtic fans willingly participated in a tifo to “show ‘Israel’ the red card.” This launched a global campaign of almost 150 similar actions across 126 sports clubs from 31 countries and 6 continents. All followed the example of Celtic: a football club held in the highest esteem for reasons beyond sport.

Despite demonstrable proof of widescale support for Palestine across the fanbase, the Celtic board continues to sanction our group, and individuals, for this sentiment.

A couple of weeks later, we paid tribute to a friend and lifelong Celtic supporter in Bik McFarlane. Bik was a hero to many and is widely recognised as a pivotal part in bringing Ireland beyond armed struggle.

While the Celtic board shamelessly commodifies aspects of Irishness, including an earlier era of armed struggle, it sanctions our group for expressions which, again, carry broad demonstrable support.

Despite approaching our 20th season inside Celtic Park, we continue to face the same intransigence from a Celtic board unwilling to engage with fans and evolve alongside fan culture.

The manager recently correctly pointed to how clubs engage with supporters in other countries; until this happens, the same tedious cycles, distractions and disruptions will inevitably continue.

We urge Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay to revise the club’s entire fan strategy and to do so in consultation with fans.

The club recently released a statement regarding fan banners at Celtic Park, expressing “concerns” about the subjects they addressed.

On March 6, the club said:

“Fan displays should support the team, or otherwise celebrate Celtic, and be consistent with the terms of the Celtic Social Charter, Social Mission Statement and other terms that apply to all supporters’ enjoyment of Celtic.”

Conor Spence

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