Thursday, March 28, 2013

Celtic fan fails in appeal against conviction


A Celtic season ticket holder convicted of a breach of the peace for wearing a top which displayed slogans of an “insulting and abusive nature” to an Old Firm match has failed in an appeal against conviction and sentence.

Kevin Maguire was given a two-year football banning order after attending a Celtic v Rangers match at Ibrox Stadium in September 2011 wearing a top with the letters ‘INLA’ and the slogan ‘F... YOUR POPPY REMEMBER DERRY’, which referred to the Irish National Liberation Army – a proscribed organisation in terms of schedule 2 to the Terrorism Act 2000 – and to the events of “Bloody Sunday” in Derry on January 30, 1972.

The appellant claimed that he had simply been engaging in “legitimate protest”, but the Criminal Appeal Court had “no difficulty” in concluding that his conduct amounted to a breach of the peace. 

The Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Carloway, sitting with Lord Drummond Young and Lord Marnoch, said the appellant actions amounted to a “deliberately provocative gesture”.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Celtic supporting footballer suspended over sick Ibrox Disaster comment


An East Stirlingshire FC youth player has been suspended after offensive comments about the Ibrox Disaster were posted online.

Under-19s player Brett Molloy is the subject of internal disciplinary process over the remarks made on social networking site Facebook.

The move came after East Stirling issued an apology to Rangers over the comments, which was in turn reproduced on the Glasgow club’s website.

A post appeared on Mr Molloy’s Facebook page on Tuesday night, on which said the "Ibrox stairs are calling" before adding "there (sic) f*****g deadly".

The Ibrox disaster claimed 66 lives on January 2, 1971, when fans were crushed on stairway 13 of the Glasgow stadium at the end of a game against rivals Celtic.

On Thursday, East Stirling said: "The allegations made against the player are now the subject of a police investigation. The player has been suspended by the club pending its own internal disciplinary process and there will be no further comment on the matter until these have been completed."

Previously, club chairman Tony Ford said: "I have been contacted by a number of people regarding posts made on social networking sites allegedly by one of our under-19 youth team players and I would like to thank those people for bringing this matter to my attention."

In a statement issued through lawyers, Mr Molloy said: "I have no comment to make at this time whilst club investigations and police investigations into my complaint are ongoing."

Rangers had previously condemned the "sickening posts" about the Disaster and noted East Stirling’s "swift apology".

Monday, March 18, 2013

Thirteen arrested in 'aggressive' protest by Celtic fans


Thirteen people have been arrested following a protest by the "Green Brigade" ahead of Saturday's SPL match at Parkhead.

A group of around 80 people were halted by Strathclyde Police after a crowd had gathered outside the Chrystal Bell pub in Glasgow's Gallowgate area at around 1pm on Saturday.

The Green Brigade, which describes itself as a "a broad front of anti-fascist, anti-racist and anti-sectarian Celtic supporters", had mounted the march over supporters receiving bans and what it described as "harassment by the police".

However, police said the demonstration was an "illegal street procession" and around 200 officers were used to disperse the march.

A police spokeswoman said: "The crowd were instructed that any procession on the road was illegal but that officers would facilitate a safe and orderly procession on the pavements toward their intended destination at Celtic Park.

"However, this was ignored and more officers were deployed as the crowd became increasingly confrontational and aggressive. The situation was contained a short time later.

"Thirteen people have been arrested so far in connection with alleged public order offences, and they are currently being processed. Police enquiries are continuing into the incident and officers will be studying CCTV and helicopter footage."

Following the incident, fans took to social media to criticise the police handling of the demonstration which saw a group of supporters prevented from leaving the area by a large number of officers with batons and mounted officers.

Before the match, the Green Brigade had said on its website that it would be holding a "corteo to Celtic Park to raise awareness and show support for the growing list of Celtic supporters receiving and facing bans from both the Club and the PF.

"It is no secret the level of harrassment many fans receive at the hands of Strathclyde Police nor is Celtic PLCs complicity able to be ignored. As such there is an ever growing list of fans being denied their passion of following their team."

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/217910-thirteen-arrested-in-aggressive-protest-by-green-brigade-in-gallowgate/

Thirteen Celtic fans arrested


Thirteen arrests have been made after police moved in to break up what they said was an unauthorised march by the Green Brigade group of Celtic fans.
Almost 200 officers were deployed to the gathering outside the Chrystal Bell pub in Glasgow's Gallowgate.
Police said the crowd "appeared to be attempting to stage an illegal street procession and officers were deployed to prevent this".
The arrests were made for alleged public order offences.
The Green Brigade had posted on its website ahead of the protest that it would be holding a "corteo to Celtic Park to raise awareness and show support for the growing list of Celtic supporters receiving and facing bans" from both the Scottish Premier League football club and the procurator fiscal.
It warned those taking part that police would "use every and any excuse to instigate trouble".
Strathclyde Police said many of the people at the pub "were wearing similar hooded tops and using scarves to hide their identities" at about 13:00.
Mounted officers
"The crowd were instructed that any procession on the road was illegal but that officers would facilitate a safe and orderly procession on the pavements toward their intended destination at Celtic Park," said a statement.

Start Quote

More officers were deployed as the crowd became increasingly confrontational and aggressive”
Strathclyde Police
"However, this was ignored and more officers were deployed as the crowd became increasingly confrontational and aggressive.
"The situation was contained a short time later. CCTV and helicopter footage was captured and will be studied as part of the investigation."
Officers, including mounted personnel, who had already been deployed to deal with a number of planned events across the city had been diverted to deal with the incident.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has previously praised the Green Brigade for the atmosphere they create inside the stadium but also urged a minority to stop singing pro-Irish Republican songs.
Ahead of the protest before the home match against Aberdeen, the Green Brigade said: "It is no secret the level of harassment many fans receive at the hands of Strathclyde Police.
"Nor is Celtic plc's complicity able to be ignored. As such, there is an ever-growing list of fans being denied their passion of following their team.
'Ongoing harassment'
"Unlike previous corteos held by the Green Brigade, this one has a little more meaning.
"While we urge as many fans as possible to turn out in support of all those currently banned and those facing ongoing harassment, it is important to remember the purpose behind this march.
"Therefore, we would appreciate it if colour was kept to a minimum in the form of flags and banners; similarly any chanting should be kept relevant to the topic at hand.
"The Green Brigade will be supplying 300 black t-shirts bearing the slogan 'The banned Bhoys stand with us' and these will be distributed to section members.
"We'd appreciate it if these shirts were worn on the march and also within the stadium to further highlight the situation."
The fans group claimed it would be police who would instigated any trouble, adding: "Please be mindful of the police presence and their actions. Please do not play into their hands.
"Avoid all communication as far as possible, have witnesses around you and a camera at hand to film/photograph them."

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Celtic yobs kicked off jet on runway


EXCLUSIVE by DOUGLAS WALKER
BOOZED-UP Celtic yobs got the boot from a flight to Italy before take-off.
Eleven louts were ejected by airport cops after they caused mayhem on board the British Airways jet.

Staff at London Heathrow called in police after complaints from passengers — including fellow Hoops fans — about the group’s swearing and chanting.

Last night one supporter fumed on Twitter: “Flight not taken off cause of fans making a **** of themselves. Coppers on plane now, f****** joke.

“Let out the scheme for the day, Disgrace to Celtic FC. Totally embarrassing.”

The flight to Milan was delayed by more than two hours, meaning passengers missed connections.

A BA spokeswoman said: “We do not tolerate any disruptive behaviour.”

Police said no arrests were made over the disturbance.


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...