The Green Brigade has announced it will boycott Celtic’s Scottish Cup matches and home European ties, a decision that escalates tensions between sections of the club’s fan base and the board at Celtic Park.
In a statement, the ultras group said: “The disconnect between those who control Celtic and those who support it has never felt greater.” It went on to claim that “under the influence of Dermot Desmond, a dark cloud lingers over our club creating an increasingly unsustainable environment”.
Desmond, Celtic’s largest shareholder, was recently the target of a protest during the Alfred Dunhill Links golf tournament in St Andrews. Celtic responded with the threat of an “indefinite ban” for anyone “established to be involved in planning, facilitating or participating” in the incident. The club has also chosen to no longer recognise the Celtic Fans Collective as a representative body. That collective is a coalition of supporter groups which includes the Green Brigade.
Responding to what it called the club’s “latest irrational statement”, the Green Brigade described it as “another attack on supporters” and said it demonstrates the “utter disdain they have for our group”. The group stated that its members had nothing to do with the events in St Andrews, while commending those behind the stunt, which involved the throwing of tennis balls.