Celtic have apologised and launched an investigation after supporters at their Parkhead ground unfurled a huge banner describing the remembrance poppy as ‘bloodstained’.
The Glasgow club have agreed to wear poppies on their shirts at St Mirren on Remembrance Sunday, which has caused fury among a section of the club’s fans.
During the 9-0 thrashing against Aberdeen on Saturday, supporters held a banner split into seven parts and covering a large section of supporters, which declared ‘no bloodstained poppies on our hoops’ and ‘your deeds would shame all the devils in Hell’.
Nonetheless, Celtic insisted it was the action of a ‘small minority’ amid a barrage of criticism.
The Glasgow club said in a statement: ‘The actions of this small minority have no place at Celtic Park. We are currently investigating the matter and, clearly, we apologise for any offence caused.’
Sportsmail has led a campaign for clubs to recognise Remembrance Day by wearing poppies embroided on their shirts. All clubs in the English and Scottish Premier Leagues have agreed to support the cause next weekend.
A section of Celtic supporters calling themselves the Green Brigade are reportedly organising a boycott of Sunday’s game at St Mirren and a statement on their website made reference to Bloody Sunday, the conflict in Iraq and the sinking of the Argentine warship the General Belgrano during the Falklands War.
Defending the protests, the statement says: ‘While we recognise the right of individuals to remember their dead and that many within the Celtic support will wear the poppy in memory of family and friends lost in WW2 and other conficts, we cannot accept the imposition of the poppy onto our shirts.’
Contrast: Liverpool fans hold a banner with legendary boss Bob Paisley depicted wearing a poppy at Sunday's game against Chelsea
East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell told the Belfast Newsletter: ‘I think that Celtic Football Club have to confront the small number of fans who have engaged in the past in this type of totally unacceptable and outrageous behaviour.
‘Remembering that former Celtic players as well as Rangers players and those from other clubs have served in the Armed Forces with distinction, and that the chairman of Celtic, John Reid, is a former Secretary of State for Defence, they must be appalled, embarrassed and humiliated by this.
‘Celtic must lance this boil once and for all.’
Celtic have denied reports that they had banned the sale of poppies at Parkhead, pointing out they were available in the club supersto
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1327697/Celtic-shame-fans-stage-bloodstained-protest-wearing-poppies.html#ixzz14hvhzcjo
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