Celtic fans to boycott matches as group hits out at Dermot Desmond and board of directors
Plans to boycott European and cup matches announced by supporter group
The Green Brigade are to boycott Celtic matches in protest over the direction of the club and treatment of fans.
The prominent Celtic ultras group say they are withdrawing from the Home Cup Ticket Scheme and will not attend any home matches in the Europa League or any Scottish Cup matches played at home, away or at Hampden. Premiership matches remain unaffected.
The move comes amid escalating tensions between sections of Celtic fans and the board of directors after principal shareholder Dermot Desmond was subjected to a tennis-ball protest while participating in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews last weekend.
Celtic responded with a furious statement laying the finger of blame at the Celtic Fans Collective, an umbrella organisaton of supporter groups including the Green Brigade, and saying that a line had been crossed.
The Green Brigade have hit back with a statement of their own confirming the action while accusing Desmond and the Celtic board of showing "utter disdain" for supporters.
In full, the statement read: "The disconnect between those who control Celtic and those who support it has never felt greater. Under the influence of Dermot Desmond, a dark cloud lingers over our club creating an increasingly unsustainable environment.
"The board's latest irrational statement at the behest of Desmond represents another attack on supporters. It explicitly attaches our group to an action which we are not responsible for, although we commend those who are. It is further demonstration, if needed, of the utter disdain they have for our group. It is clear notice of another ban, be that imminently or for another manufactured incident like times before.
"We share the same concerns as so many others regarding the direction of Celtic Football Club. Beyond these, we have grave concerns about the naked contempt for supporters and how this regularly manifests against our group and individual members.
"Police collusion, vendettas against representatives, strangling the standing section, unworkable tifo restrictions, the constant threat of unilateral bans and refusal to meaningfully engage with us means that we are unable to fully function as an ultras group and give the type of support we exist for.
"Achieving meaningful change requires some level of sacrifice. With that in mind, we have taken the decision to withdraw from the Home Cup Ticket Scheme. We will not attend the remaining Europa League home ties nor any Scottish Cup tie at home, away or at Hampden. We will review this position at the end of the season or earlier should adequate progress be made.
"We realise that many supporters have already taken similar decisions. Our decision rests on our own principles and is not intended to pressure any other supporter or group into similar action. We remain fully committed to the Celtic Fans Collective and supportive of anyone trying to achieve positive change at Celtic Football Club."
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