tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70171952413562089462024-03-05T08:07:07.210-08:00If You Know Their HistoryThe Internet's No.1 database of Media reports relating to Celtic Football ClubIf You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comBlogger619125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-2183787873654350072016-01-10T10:30:00.001-08:002016-01-10T10:40:18.249-08:00Racist chanting from Celtic fans recorded at Scottish Cup Match at Stranraer<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WxQk1WwkCN4" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
Highly disturbing footage has today emerged of Celtic supporters chanting racist and sectarian abuse during a Scottish Cup tie at Stranraer today. <br />
<br />
In the video obtained by us "Get The Brits Out Now" is clearly audible though the noise of firecrackers being thrown by Celtic supporters<br />
<br />
Journalists at the match today which included BBC Scotland have so far failed to report these chants and other sectarian chants heard by disgusted Stranraer supporters and views at home.<br />
<br />
David Scott from Nil By Mouth who has been vocal on sectarian chanting this week has yet to voice his opinion to this chanting.<br />
<br />
It is our understanding that the footage has been passed to to Police Scotland via social media.<br />
<br />
Offensive behaviour has featured in a number of UEFA delegate reports in recent years with Celtic being fined by European governing body.<br />
<br />
In 1988 Celtic supporters subjected the first black player to play for Rangers to a torrent of racist abuse with bananas raining down in the direction of the Englishman from the Celtic supporters throughout the match.<br />
<br />
That match in 1988 was held up as bananas were cleared from the Celtic Park pitch.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hk4KF1ZLqbs" width="560"></iframe><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-22193553035791852352014-12-07T12:06:00.001-08:002014-12-07T12:07:38.035-08:00'SMV' bigots are Celtic fans - Herald ScotlandIn the last month, the Green Brigade's love/hate relationship with Celtic's hierarchy has become one of just hate. One of its politically charged banners landed the club with another fine from European football's governing body last week, and its association with the damage at Motherwell's Fir Park stadium caused by setting off pyrotechnic flares and the breaking of seats is likely to see the club's place in the experiment of Friday night football pulled.<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
As a result, more than 120 of the Green Brigade's members and associates are suspended from Celtic Park, and its notorious Section 111 within the ground has been broken up.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
In the popular imagination, they have had their status as Scottish football's bête noir confirmed, shifting from a noisy, colourful, provocative and politically confrontational group to essentially hooligans with a fondness for Irish Republican paramilitaries.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Police Scotland, determined to make the contentious Offensive Behaviour at Football Act work, and whose officers have had regular brushes with the Green Brigade, could not have wished for better headlines.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
It all seems a long way from their pivotal role in making nights like last season's win over Barcelona among the best in living memory.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"Celtic have done what the police couldn't do and that's put the game beyond repair for us," one member of the Green Brigade told the Sunday Herald.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"Will it end the group? Well, it could go either way, limping on and people could then chuck it. The moment might have gone. Lots of things are mounting up. The harassment from the cops and Celtic takes its toll.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"But when we got this thing going we were underground. We were raw. But we lost that. We went from one end of the spectrum to being in Rod Stewart's book. The kids have ripped it up in the last weeks. I think we all have."<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
The Green Brigade has a core of around 80 members, a decision-making inner circle of around 30 and a wider associated circle in its section within Celtic Park of around 350 people. Its successful underground merchandising operation would give the impression of a much larger group, however.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Police Scotland admits the group are not "casuals". It has dismissed links with illegal groups in Northern Ireland, but expressed concern about the group's use of pyrotechnics, the "vulnerability" of younger members and breaching the Offensive Behaviour Act via songs the force sees as falling foul of the legislation.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Since the introduction of the legislation, many of the Green Brigade's members and associates have been arrested and brought to court for a breach of the act.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
The Green Brigade was formed by no more than half a dozen members of a previous singing section, the Jungle Bhoys, who became disillusioned with that group around 2005 and wanted something more political which spoke to the Ultras scene of clubs such as Germany's St Pauli or Livorno in Italy.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Soon they were active at anti-racism and STUC events, but still numbered only around a dozen marching behind their own banners. But when Celtic gave over a section of its ground to the burgeoning group, numbers started to snowball.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"By the time it's 2010, the group gets Section 111 and we realise we've a movement on our hands.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"How do you get in? Well, you've got to turn up for games for starters. Then there's paint nights, helping out with banners, setting up before big games in the ground. It's almost like having another job and a lot of work goes into it away.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"To get in - it's almost like an interview with people who are in your wider company. The group's looking for people with different opinions, but on the three main topics."<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
But controversy was never far away. A Remembrance Day banner demanding "No bloodstained poppy on our Hoops" brought widespread condemnation, and a Uefa fine for "illicit chanting"<br />
following the singing of songs referring to the IRA during the team's Europa League run in 2011 was met with the notorious "F**k Uefa" banner at a subsequent game.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
But for all his condemnation, Celtic's chief executive, Peter Lawwell, kept the group on board, an acknowledgement of its input to the atmosphere at an otherwise moribund Celtic Park. Manager Neil Lennon also made a point of singling them out for praise when presented with the League trophy.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
The Green Brigade member the Sunday Herald spoke to stands by their banners, including the ones linking IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands to William Wallace. However, several members of the Green Brigade have faced criminal action for singing the anthem Roll Of Honour, which commemorates the hunger strikes through the line "England you're a monster". They argue that Flower Of Scotland carries the same sentiment. He said: "The group was becoming part of the Celtic Park experience, part of the day trip; the section isn't as hardcore as many think.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"But the banners over the last few years haven't been about pushing the boat out and trying to annoy the club. Every single one of the banners had a deeply held belief and a point behind it.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"Like the Bobby Sands and William Wallace banner. A lot of people were scratching their heads. Even other Celtic fans were asking what this was about. But we knew. Anyone affected by the Offensive Behaviour Act knew. And if your audience is based around people getting arrested at the football, what better audience to make your point in front of?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"Forums and fanzines have had their day. It gets to the point where things build up a head of steam. The Offensive Behaviour Act came in and while people had reservations how it would affect them, it was not until it came in that we knew just how.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"And that's not just the group. It's those who were in our wider area and wider social circle. Away games is where the arrests are. Cops picking up easy targets, daft drunk kids who don't realise the consequences of their actions and whose lives can be ruined for singing a song with their mates.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"And we get the label we do because people in Scotland aren't willing, even now, to accept Irish Republican views as an acceptable political ideology. Back in the days of the Jungle, no-one was really picking up on this, but the last few years have thrown up a generation of tut-tutters who sang much much worse [songs] than we do now."<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
If the knock-out blow was the Motherwell game, then the Green Brigade admit they "took their eye off the ball". The emergence of a group of affiliated young Turks in the last year, the Style Mile Vandals (SMV) brought the edge of drunkenness and hooliganism to Celtic away fixtures. So who are the SMV?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"Well, they're kind of the naughty wee brother who got kind of carried away. They've been on the go about a year, are younger kids and into graffiti and stuff. These are the guys out late at night putting up stickers and spray painting.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"The Union Bears [Rangers' 'ultras'] have something similar. But there's a huge difference between the SMV and the Green Brigade, even if there's an overlap of a few members.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"The Green Brigade kind of don't want the notoriety as individuals; the SMV want to be the big boys. They see themselves as a group within a group and the Green Brigade are annoyed they've been pursuing their notoriety.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"My view? The recent pyro stuff hasn't just been the SMV and the kids around the group. It's easy enough to find online and it's also cheap enough to find online and it's also cheap enough for anyone to buy. However, a lot people need a bogeyman to blame."</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">EXCLUSIVE by James Hamilton</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-transform: capitalize;">Sunday 15 December 2013</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/club-gave-us-enough-rope-to-hang-ourselves.22958708?page=7">http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/club-gave-us-enough-rope-to-hang-ourselves.22958708?page=7</a></div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-1117868790826397572014-12-07T11:42:00.001-08:002014-12-07T11:43:00.781-08:00Heart of Midlothian complain about Celtic supporters behaviour<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Sunday past - November 30th - was, of course, St Andrew’s day - a day when we should all be proud to be Scots! Unfortunately, I was certainly not overly proud of some of the behaviour I witnessed and heard about both during and after the game.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The match was a disappointing football spectacle for both sets of supporters. However, as football supporters, we know that things will not always go our way on the pitch; we know that players will make mistakes; we know that referees will make calls that we do not all agree with. That is football! It does not justify bad behavior - on or off the field. </div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
At Hearts, poor on-field behaviour is scrutinised, disciplined and, where appropriate, punished. The same approach must apply off the field.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The police report confirms that one Hearts supporter was arrested at the match for sectarian abuse. That is unacceptable and dangerous. In line with my previous statement of zero tolerance, that individual will not be allowed back into the stadium.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The same police report confirms that five Celtic supporters were arrested for sectarian abuse, coin throwing and disorderly behaviour. I hope that Celtic will take appropriate action against those individuals who let them down. Certainly, at Hearts, we will do everything in our power to ensure they are never again allowed into Tynecastle.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I was appalled at the vandalism carried out by our visiting supporters on Sunday. Having recently spent significant sums to replace broken seats in the Roseburn Stand, for the benefit, primarily, of our away supporters, I was hugely disappointed to witness the destruction of close to 100 seats. Similarly, the graffiti on walls, tiles, doors - basically all types of surfaces - was quite disgraceful and this is not to mention the damage to toilets.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I have discussed all of these matters with members of the Celtic Executive and we are working co-operatively to address the issues. No club should be on the receiving end of such unacceptable behaviour and no club should be put in the position of having to defend such behaviour.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The most distressing emails/reports I have received are of intimidation both to fans and to staff from away fans. Everyone gets frustrated when officials and police appear to take little or no action. </div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
This is something I will discuss with the authorities but as many of us know, their response is very often influenced by a need not to further inflame a situation. The only real answer is to try to remove those people who cause the problems and who spoil the whole experience for so many others.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I was pleased to learn that approximately 20% of the Hearts supporters on Sunday were youths. This is fantastic evidence that we are appealing to the family. The not so good news is that I have received a number of emails/letters from parents stating that their children were terrified/had to be removed part way through the game/were traumatised - and as such would be unlikely ever to want to return to a game. This is appalling.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/news/4010">http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/news/4010</a></div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-29894398405358831522014-12-07T11:35:00.003-08:002014-12-07T11:37:49.697-08:00Sick Celtic fans daub sectarian graffiti mocking dead football fans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5CRM4EZ-fgJC2-O2uDSMyoDX8Oq-gEXTqvsYCCvLQTZp9aP-ZNVt0L5ZlVvQknQ1sXt-5zkJKWjRf9G4GAuWMIEIBHbm10WdewDW_nHImRSiGnafnTP7dckgXRXNz0aZT4LebhwFeGU/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5CRM4EZ-fgJC2-O2uDSMyoDX8Oq-gEXTqvsYCCvLQTZp9aP-ZNVt0L5ZlVvQknQ1sXt-5zkJKWjRf9G4GAuWMIEIBHbm10WdewDW_nHImRSiGnafnTP7dckgXRXNz0aZT4LebhwFeGU/s1600/image.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 21px;">Sick yobs daubed Tynecastle with graffiti mocking the memory of the Ibrox disaster dead.</span><br />
<div class="page-large-introduction" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="page-introduction" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.142857143em; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
The Sunday Post has obtained shocking photographs which show the carnage inside Hearts’ ground following last Sunday’s match, which was marred by ugly scenes.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
The revelations come as a war of words rages between Hearts owner Ann Budge and Celtic over the fixture.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Our explosive images from inside the ground’s Roseburn stand – where Celtic fans watched the match – show toilets and doors daubed with sick tags including “66 dead huns”.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
It is a direct reference mocking the number of fans who died in the 1971 Ibrox disaster.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Last night those who lost loved-ones in the tragedy, said the minority of “despicable” fans ought to be ashamed.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Craig Smith, 48, from Livingston, West Lothian, who lost his dad George in the tragedy, said: “It is despicable that people find the deaths of 66 football fans funny.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
“Immature, uneducated idiots is really the only way to describe them. Each of those 66 have become a missing part of someone’s life since 1971.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
“Those who wrote it should be ashamed and put themselves in the shoes of those who lost someone.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
The graffiti is believed to have been daubed on the walls by a gang known as the Style Mile Vandals (SMV).<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
A small faction of so called “ultras”, the SMV was formed in 2011, and is believed to have a membership overlap with the Green Brigade.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
The Green Brigade has previously caused outrage with sectarian singing and controversial banners.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Last night Mark Dingwall, editor of Rangers fansite followfollow.com, said tarnishing Tynecastle with the Ibrox disaster slur marked a new low for Scottish football.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
He said: “I am horrified anybody would mock the Ibrox disaster or any other tragedy connected with football.”<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
The ugly scenes at last week’s Scottish Cup tie, which Celtic won 4-0, sparked a fierce war of words between the rival clubs.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hearts owner Ann Budge said she was “appalled” at the level of vandalism visited on the Edinburgh ground.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Celtic immediately hit back with its own list of accusations, claiming missiles had been thrown at Celtic supporters and sectarian abuse directed at staff and players.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Dave Scott, who is campaign manager at anti-sectarianism campaign group Nil by Mouth, said: “This graffiti is both moronic and deeply offensive and I’m sure all real football fans would be appalled.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
A spokesman for Hearts refused to comment. A Celtic spokesman said: “These people are not Celtic supporters.”<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.9066677093506px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="page-large-introduction" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.285714286em; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sundaypost.com/news-views/scotland/outrage-over-ibrox-disaster-graffiti-1.724311">BY BEN ROBINSON, Sunday Poste 7 DECEMBER 2014 9.12AM.</a></span></div>
<div class="page-large-introduction" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.285714286em; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sundaypost.com/news-views/scotland/outrage-over-ibrox-disaster-graffiti-1.724311">http://www.sundaypost.com/news-views/scotland/outrage-over-ibrox-disaster-graffiti-1.724311</a></span></div>
<br />If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-78459558366110797312014-01-17T03:20:00.002-08:002014-01-17T03:20:59.010-08:00Three Celtic fans accused of disorder on way to Aberdeen match<div class="page-large-introduction" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<a href="http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/local/three-men-accused-of-disorder-on-way-to-aberdeen-fc-v-celtic-match-1.177972">http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/local/three-men-accused-of-disorder-on-way-to-aberdeen-fc-v-celtic-match-1.177972</a></div>
<div class="page-large-introduction" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 20px;">
THREE men are to go on trial accused of attempting to fight with Dons fans on the way to a football match in Aberdeen.</div>
<div class="page-introduction" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.299999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.299999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Kieran Ewing,23, Douglas Main, 21, and Lee McGarry, 20, appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.299999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
The men are accused of behaving in a way “likely to incite public disorder” while on their way to an Aberdeen and Celtic match in the city.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.299999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
The alleged offence is said to have taken place at King Street at its junction with West North Street on August 17 last year.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.299999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Main is also accused of being in possession of cocaine.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.299999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Ewing’s address was given as 42 Woodside Road, Stirling; Main’s was given as 8 Hardhill Road, Bathgate; and McGarry’s address was given as 6 Bedale Road, Garrowhill. They are due to go on trial in Aberdeen next month.</div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-41463010247490712952014-01-14T01:54:00.000-08:002014-01-14T01:54:28.066-08:00Police investigating Celtic fan over vile hate massages<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/police-probe-twitter-troll-allegations-3016365">http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/police-probe-twitter-troll-allegations-3016365</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
POLICE were last night investigating vile Twitter messages aimed at terminally ill former Rangers legend Fernando Ricksen.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Dutch star touched the hearts of more than 42,000 fans as he was welcomed on to the Ibrox pitch at half-time in Saturday’s League One clash with East Fife.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Ricksen, 37, recently revealed he has incurable motor neurone disease and he was visibly moved as he took the fans’ applause.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But later a sick message was posted on the Twitter account of 21-year-old Ciaran Wallace, of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It read: “Frenando (sic) ricksen you won’t see ten in a row!!! #celtic#rangers#deed#haha.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Other disgusting messages were also posted on McDonald’s worker Wallace’s Facebook account, including one mocking the death of soldier Lee Rigby, murdered by Islamist extremists in Woolwich last May.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Facebook entry reads: “Free the woolwich two!!! Where’s your head at!!!!!??”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Wallace, a member of a Republican flute band, last night deleted his social media accounts, which were riddled with similar smears and insults.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But when confronted by the Record over his behaviour, he hid behind his mum and whimpered for her to shut the door.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Cowering Wallace also claimed that both his Facebook and Twitter accounts had been simultaneously hacked and that he hadn’t made the sickening posts.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Record received a barrage of calls and emails from angry readers who saw his Ricksen rant.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
One caller said: “I was checking out Fernando Ricksen’s reception at Ibrox by doing a Twitter search for his name and this entry was the first thing I saw.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“I was staggered and so were my friends. This goes beyond teasing or any kind of banter. As I looked into this guy’s social media sites, it was clear that he does this kind of thing for sport.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“There are laws to protect the public from stuff like this. Police should throw the book at him.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When we attempted to speak to Wallace at his home last night, he refused to come to the door.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It was answered by a middle-aged woman who said the messages had been posted on Wallace’s account by someone else. She said: “Someone must have hacked in. I have contacted the police about it.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In the background, Wallace appeared to be sobbing and saying: “Mum, shut the door. Stop talking to them.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Last night, Wallace’s employers, McDonald’s, were probing the online posts.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A spokesman said: “We have been made aware of comments that have been attributed to an employee and we are investigating as a matter of urgency.”</div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-33738319635305330142014-01-14T01:50:00.001-08:002014-01-14T01:50:43.568-08:00Celtic fans reported after trouble at Celtic v Motherwell match<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://news.stv.tv/scotland/260188-14-teenagers-reported-after-at-celtic-v-motherwell-fan-trouble/">http://news.stv.tv/scotland/260188-14-teenagers-reported-after-at-celtic-v-motherwell-fan-trouble/</a></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fourteen teenagers have been referred to the Children’s Reporter after fan trouble broke out at a Celtic v Motherwell match in December.</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The league game, which saw flares and fireworks set off and dozens of seats damaged at Motherwell’s Fir Park stadium, prompted a number of arrests.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The scenes, which took place at the fixture on December 6, also saw damage caused a green smoke bomb thrown into the Celtic penalty area.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A statement from police said: “Following a police operation in Lanarkshire over the weekend a further 14 people, all males aged between 14 and 16, are the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“They have also been referred to the Children's Reporter in connection with alleged disorder following the Motherwell V Celtic match on Saturday December 6.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A total of six 16-year-olds, five 15-year-olds and three 14-year-olds were reported to the procurator fiscal as a result of the latest operation.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It takes the total number of people reported to 25.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Celtic Football Club at the time condemned the fans who were responsible for the trouble.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In a statement released after the match, the Parkhead club accused the fans responsible of "tarnishing the great reputation of the club" and promised to keep supporters updated on the investigation into the incident.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A spokesman said: “Clearly we are appalled by the scenes from last night´s match and the actions of a small minority which have again tarnished the great reputation of the club and our supporters on a night when our team produced such a fantastic performance.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A Police Scotland spokesman added: "During the course of the match, 18 smoke bombs, three fireworks, and one flare were set off. Significant damage was caused to seats within the ground and we are looking into this matter along with the club to establish the circumstances."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The match saw Celtic defeat Motherwell 5-0.</div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-1965824678180598442014-01-14T01:46:00.001-08:002014-01-14T01:46:12.667-08:00Celtic fans arrested over Motherwell riot<div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-25718955?SThisFB">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-25718955?SThisFB</a></div>
<div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 1.077em;">Police have arrested 14 teenagers in connection with crowd trouble at last month's SPFL game between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
Six 16 year olds, five 15 year olds and three 14 year olds - all from the Motherwell area - were held, bringing the total number of arrests to 25.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
They will be reported to the procurator fiscal and children's reporter.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
During the match, smoke bombs, flares and fireworks were set off. There was also trouble in Motherwell town centre.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
A reported £10,000 of damage was caused to seats in a section of Fir Park housing Celtic fans.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
Following the match, Celtic <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25306198" style="color: #4a7194; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none;">suspended 128 fans from their games and relocated 250 season-ticket holders</a>.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
The club said it was "appalled" by the disorder and issued precautionary suspensions preventing fans from attending home and away matches.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
The 250 season-ticket holders relocated were seated in the Green Brigade's corner of Celtic Park.</div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-75608480983014724222014-01-09T03:07:00.000-08:002014-01-09T03:07:44.178-08:00Thanks a (Half) Million'If You Know Their History' crashed through the 500,000 barrier of unique visits over the holiday period.<br />
<br />
We also had a record amount of visits during December.<br />
<br />
Thanks for your all your support.If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-45392725697488661872014-01-08T06:12:00.002-08:002014-01-09T03:03:10.044-08:00Celtic fan jailed over racist Twitter abuse aimed at Rangers players<span style="color: #565656; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"><a href="http://www.clyde1.com/news/local/rangers-twitter-troll-jailed/">http://www.clyde1.com/news/local/rangers-twitter-troll-jailed/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">An internet troll who intimidated and shocked former Rangers players Maurice Edu and Kyle Bartley by sending racist tweets has been jailed for six months.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">The players - who have since left the club - were sent the vile messages from Michael Convery on Twitter after a game against St Johnstone in Perth on January 14, 2012.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Twenty-two year-old Bartley said he found the messages "intimidating" and thought that "society had got over these sorts of comments".</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">American footballer Edu, 27, described feeling shocked on seeing the messages he had been sent.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">They gave evidence at the trial of Michael Convery, 43, from Linthouse, Glasgow, who was convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court of sending racist remarks on Twitter to the players.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Sheriff Valerie Johnston jailed Convery for six months.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Although none of the messages were read out in full in open court, it was heard that Bartley was sent a direct comment from Convery and mentioned in a second one and Edu was sent two direct comments.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Bartley told the court he checked his Twitter account after a match with Rangers, while traveling home on the team bus and saw tweets from an account in the name of Michael Convery.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">He also saw a message had been sent to team mate Edu.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">He said: "I was sat next to Maurice on the coach. So we showed each other the comments."</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Bartley was asked what he did when he received a particular message.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">He said: "I actually re-tweeted the tweet. It allowed the public eye to see the comments, and I reported it to David Martin, who is head of security at Glasgow Rangers."</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">The court heard the word "monkey" was used, Bartley said it was "a comment he was used to".</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Procurator fiscal depute Jonathan Kemp asked how he felt on receiving them and the witness said: "I just felt a little bit hurt and disappointed really.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">"I thought it's 2012, I just thought society had got over these sorts of comments.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">"Obviously I don't know Michael Convery, I didn't understand why he would have so much hate for me."</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Bartley said he lived on his own and can't always have security with him, adding: "I was intimidated".</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Edu said he was shocked and embarrassed when he saw the first message that was sent to him.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">The footballer said he looked on the page associated with Convery and said there was similar "aggressive" tweets.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">He told the court that later that day, after receiving another message he was still shocked and said: "I think that time was when I re-tweeted".</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">The court heard that in his police interview Convery told officers on the date of the offence he was suffering from food poisoning and was drifting in and out of sleep in his house.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">He said that his then 16-year-old son Jordan came round and was in the house at the time the tweets were sent as well as his friend Joseph.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">In evidence Convery told the court he suspected his teenage son was to blame although claimed he did not see any comments being posted.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Convery accepted the twitter messages came from his Blackberry phone and his Twitter account.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">The court heard evidence that there had been searches using the search engine Google, hours after the tweets were sent for "How to delete Twitter".</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #565656; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Convery was branded an "unreliable" witness by sheriff Johnston.</span>If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-14970063911326772962013-12-23T04:44:00.002-08:002013-12-23T04:45:08.463-08:00Ban on flags at Celtic's first away match since Motherwell riot<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://news.stv.tv/west-central/257960-celtic-fan-flags-banned-at-boxing-day-tie-against-st-johnstone/">http://news.stv.tv/west-central/257960-celtic-fan-flags-banned-at-boxing-day-tie-against-st-johnstone/</a></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Flags and banners have been banned from Celtic’s Boxing Day tie against St Johnstone over fears about smoke bombs and flares being let off.</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Perth club confirmed the ban had been agreed with the Parkhead side and Police Scotland, which comes after seats were destroyed and smoke bombs let off by Celtic supporters during a recent match against Motherwell.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
St Johnstone stated the decision had been made to ensure the 3pm Scottish Premiership game is "played in a safe environment which can be enjoyed by everyone."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It said the move was in response to "a significant increase in the letting off of flares, smoke bombs and other pyrotechnics at games across the country this season."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Police Scotland match commander Superintendent Kevin Lynch said: "We welcome both sets of supporters for what we are sure will be an excellent sporting event. We hope that they all enjoy themselves and we will be there to help keep them safe.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"The police and both clubs expect everyone to enjoy the occasion in the right way and abide by the law, as well as the ground regulations. We will be on hand to assist them where required and, where necessary, to deal effectively with anyone who is involved in disorder or other criminal behaviour.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"Those attending the game, as well as the local community, can rest assured that we will deal effectively with any incidents and put offenders before the courts. That could mean a spell in custody for offenders at a time when I am sure they would prefer to be with friends and family. So please come along and enjoy the game in the right way."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A statement released on the St Johnstone website stated: "As part of the planning process between the police, St Johnstone FC, Celtic FC and other agencies, a decision has been taken that flags and banners will not be permitted inside McDiarmid Park stadium for this game. Fans are asked to be considerate of this requirement in the interest of their own safety and the safety of others."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It also said police will carry out "stop checks carried out on supporters’ buses en route to the game."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Superintendent Lynch added: ‘"We look forward to an entertaining afternoon and hope that everyone who attends enjoys the contest between the sides in a good-natured and enthusiastic way where everyone is safe and remembers the game for all the right reasons."</div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-79797673925540477112013-12-19T02:11:00.000-08:002013-12-19T02:11:39.628-08:00Police used CS gas to halt Celtic fans UEFA Champions Leauge riot<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://news.stv.tv/west-central/257444-btp-officer-cleared-over-cs-gas-use-after-celtic-ajax-match-glasgow/">http://news.stv.tv/west-central/257444-btp-officer-cleared-over-cs-gas-use-after-celtic-ajax-match-glasgow/</a></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Police have been cleared of using CS gas to deal with rival football fans fighting on the day of Celtic’s Champions League clash with Ajax in Glasgow.</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The incident outside a pub close to Bridgeton Railway Station in the city’s east end involved a group of more than 15 rival football supporters.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The men ignored repeated warnings from officers from British Transport Police (BTP), including warnings that CS gas would be used if they did not stop fighting.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
One of the officers discharged the spray to which the men dispersed and stopped fighting.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It was one incident on a day where fan trouble was reported in parts of the city as the Dutch team travelled to Glasgow for a Champion’s League match with Celtic.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
An independent investigation by the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) has found the BTP officer was justified in using the spray when dealing with the violent clash after the match.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The incident happened near a pub in the Bridgeton area of the city on October 22, the day of a Celtic v Ajax game.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In his report into the incident, commissioner Professor John McNeill said the two officers who were outnumbered by fighting fans had handled a violent situation professionally.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
He added the use of the spray by one of the officers was proportionate and justified.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Professor McNeill said: “I am satisfied that the officers managed the incident professionally. Had the officer not used the Captor spray, there is a likelihood that the situation would have continued to escalate and place those involved, members of the public and police officers at risk.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“I have however recommended to British Transport Police that the procedures for using the spray in areas aside from railway premises should be updated to ensure that officers have clear instruction and guidance on using Captor Spray in areas aside from railway station concourses, platforms and tracks, namely near or on public roads, where their officers are sometimes deployed.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Following the discharge of any police firearm, the BTP referred the matter to the PIRC for independent investigation.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
PIRC investigators visited the scene, reviewed relevant documents and procedures, read statements from the police officers involved, viewed CCTV footage, and listened to airwave transmissions.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A BTP spokesman said: "We have received the report and note its findings."</div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-87539847062270954922013-12-17T11:31:00.002-08:002013-12-19T02:13:54.450-08:00Seven Celtic fans face trial over support of the IRA at Celtic Park<div style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Paul Duke, 37, Ross Gallagher, 29, Christopher Bateman, 28, David Gallacher, 22, Sean Cowden, 21, Kieran Duffy, 18 and Greg Robertson, 28, have all appeared in court charged with the offence.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The seven men are alleged to have behaved in a way that "is likely or would be likely to incite public disorder" by singing a song in support of the Irish Republic Army (IRA) at Celtic Park.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">All pled not guilty when they appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court, represented by Paul Kavanagh and a trial was set for next June.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Duke and Gallagher, from East Kilbride, Bateman, from Irvine, Gallacher, from Glasgow, Cowden from Rutherglen and Duffy from Coatbridge, are accused of singing the song, the Roll of Honour, at the champions league qualifier match against Elfsporg match on July 31.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Gallagher, Bateman and Robertson, from Glasgow, are accused of singing the song on August 3, at the first game of the season against Ross County.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Robertson faces a further charge, with Gallacher, of singing at a home game on August 24, against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/u/green-brigade-members-to-stand-trial-over-ira-song.1387297439">http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/u/green-brigade-members-to-stand-trial-over-ira-song.1387297439</a></div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-4451738176290496142013-12-13T14:35:00.003-08:002013-12-13T14:35:52.975-08:00Celtic punished by UEFA for Terrorist banner<a href="http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/celtic-fined-50-000-euro-for-green-brigade-banner-1-3232518">http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/celtic-fined-50-000-euro-for-green-brigade-banner-1-3232518</a><br />
<br />
Celtic have been fined 50,000 euro for a banner unfurled by the Green Brigade before their Champions League match against AC Milan,<br />
<br />
The banner, which was reported to UEFA, featured a picture of William Wallace alongside hunger striker Bobby Sands which included a statement “the terrorist or the dreamer”.<br />
<br />
UEFA’s control and disciplinary body met today to issue the penalty, which equates to £42,000, following a series of delays due to a “backlog” of cases. A statement on the club’s website today confirmed the penalty.<br />
<br />
It read: “Clearly it is extremely disappointing that the Club must pay another sizeable penalty following the actions of a small minority, particularly given the previous assurances which were made to the Club and the widespread understanding of the likely outcome of such actions.<br />
<br />
“Regrettably, due to previous charges being brought against the Club, again following the actions of a small minority, the fines imposed by UEFA are increasing in scale.<br />
<br />
“It goes without saying that such actions must stop now, before the Club receives a competitive sanction or one which would affect our supporters attending European matches.<br />
<br />
“We are Celtic supporters and we must now move on and look ahead to tomorrow’s match against Hibernian. We are sure our fans will come together, unite with the Club and support the team with the commitment and passion we are famous for, ensuring that Celtic Park once again provides a positive footballing occasion for all.”<br />
<br />
Celtic were fined £4200 by UEFA earlier this season after their supporters set off fireworks in a Champions League qualifier against Cliftonville. They were also fined £21,000 18 months ago after fans unfurled a banner before a Europa League tie at Udinese that read: “F*** UEFA.”<br />
<br />
It came shortly after Celtic were found guilty by UEFA of “illicit chanting” by their fans during the Europa League match at home to Rennes and fined £12,700.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-38934998192340947692013-12-12T03:29:00.001-08:002013-12-12T03:29:44.144-08:00Celtic fans arrested for Motherwell riotFive people have been arrested in connection with crowd trouble at the Motherwell v Celtic game last week<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br />A reported £10,000 of damage was caused to seats in a section housing Celtic fans, a flare was let off in the same area before the game and two green smoke bombs were thrown on to the pitch during the match at Fir Park stadium on Friday.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Celtic said they were ''appalled'' by the actions and issued precautionary suspensions to 128 supporters preventing them from attending home and away matches, while 250 season-ticket holders seated in the Green Brigade's corner of Celtic Park are to be moved to other parts of the ground.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Police said 18 smoke bombs, three fireworks and one flare were set off.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">There were also disturbances and vandalism in Motherwell both before and after the game.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Officers said five people were arrested in connection with the disorder on Monday and inquiries are continuing.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/u/five-arrested-after-celtic-fan-trouble-at-motherwell-match.1386845170">http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/u/five-arrested-after-celtic-fan-trouble-at-motherwell-match.1386845170</a></span>If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-80115411416627675732013-12-12T01:47:00.001-08:002013-12-12T01:48:14.095-08:00FIVE Celtic fans have been arrested following shameful vandalism<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/five-celtic-fans-arrested-following-2917895">http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/five-celtic-fans-arrested-following-2917895</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em;">FIVE Celtic fans have been arrested following shameful vandalism and flare-throwing at Motherwell last Friday night.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Celts chiefs suspended 128 supporters and relocated 250 season-ticket holders after dozens of seats were damaged during their 5-0 victory.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Police Scotland have now confirmed the first arrests were made on Monday.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The hooliganism was the latest in a string of incidents involving fans in the Green Brigade group.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Celtic were due to discover yesterday what action they face over an “illicit” banner displayed during their clash with AC Milan but they will now find out tomorrow.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 1.15385em; line-height: 1.28571em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Meanwhile, a teenager has appeared in court charged with throwing a flare on to the pitch during a Scottish Cup clash between Falkirk and Rangers on November 30.</div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-43198026637071117832013-12-12T01:44:00.000-08:002013-12-12T01:45:47.660-08:00Five Celtic fans arrested after disturbances at Motherwell's Fir Park<div class="p1">
<b><a href="http://news.stv.tv/scotland/252688-five-celtic-fans-arrested-after-disturbances-at-motherwells-fir-park/">http://news.stv.tv/scotland/252688-five-celtic-fans-arrested-after-disturbances-at-motherwells-fir-park/</a></b></div>
<div class="p1">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>Five Celtic fans have been arrested after seats were destroyed and smoke bombs, fireworks and flares set off during the club’s game against Motherwell.</b></div>
<div class="p1">
The damage was caused at Fir Park during the match on Friday, with seats in the south stand pulled out.</div>
<div class="p1">
Officers said 18 smoke bombs, three fireworks and one flare were set off.</div>
<div class="p1">
There were also disturbances and vandalism in Motherwell both before and after the game.</div>
<div class="p1">
Police Scotland have since arrested five people in connection with the disturbances and are trawling through CCTV as they try and indentify other people.</div>
<div class="p1">
In response to the disorder, Celtic have temporarily banned 128 fans and have announced they are to break up the Green Brigade section at Parkhead.</div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
The match saw Celtic defeat Motherwell 5-0.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGPlxkBHnv1F1VLLYAS1z6T5PWlYFd-jZpufjQHUvwsL-4WxB6F6okw8zWuFqUQtVL3IEG27iwGL7c5AsY6AXy1pGIQkSyfKLF8CM6csVrpzQJTiVy6ZtWX8grtA_HmuTf6TNgTR30lM/s1600/GRAHAM+SPIERS+RANGERS.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGPlxkBHnv1F1VLLYAS1z6T5PWlYFd-jZpufjQHUvwsL-4WxB6F6okw8zWuFqUQtVL3IEG27iwGL7c5AsY6AXy1pGIQkSyfKLF8CM6csVrpzQJTiVy6ZtWX8grtA_HmuTf6TNgTR30lM/s400/GRAHAM+SPIERS+RANGERS.png" width="400" /></a></div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-58222027112112773322013-12-11T04:17:00.000-08:002013-12-11T04:18:19.779-08:00Police confident of arresting Celtic supporters following Fir Park disorder<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25314595">http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25314595</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Police expect to make "a number of arrests" in relation to the disorder at Motherwell's Fir Park during last Friday's match against Celtic. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Celtic suspended 128 fans from their games and relocated 250 season-ticket holders following damage caused to seats. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Smoke bombs and flares were also thrown during Celtic's 5-0 success. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Superintendent Stephen McAllister said: "Clearly, Police Scotland are very concerned about the vandalism we saw." </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Assistant manager Johan Mjallby insists Celtic had to take firm action against the fans whose behaviour marred last Friday's win.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">"I don't think it left the club with any other option but to suspend some fans," said Mjallby. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">The Scottish Professional Football League described the scenes at Fir Park as "shameful" and promised an investigation once it receives its match delegate's report. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">The precautionary suspensions imposed on fans will cover matches away from home as well as at Celtic Park. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">The club statement added: "These events were an embarrassment to our great football club and are absolutely indefensible." </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Talking on Celtic's departure for Barcelona on Champions League duty, Mjallby added: "It is very unfortunate what happened. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">"You don't want to have mayhem, you can't have this disruption inside sports grounds so we have to get together to support the club in the best way. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">"It is a distraction I don't like to see because I like to work with the players. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">"The club has reacted in the best way." </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Supt McAllister, of the Football Coordination Unit for Scotland, added: "We fully expect to make a number of arrests next week in relation to those individuals that were involved in that disorder and carried out acts of vandalism within Fir Park." </span>If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-13896326284211647032013-12-10T03:20:00.001-08:002013-12-10T03:22:05.269-08:00Celtic bosses slam ‘embarrassing’ hooligans<h3 class="padding-bottom-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/5315541/Celtic-bosses-slam-embarrassing-Fir-Park-hooligans.html">http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/5315541/Celtic-bosses-slam-embarrassing-Fir-Park-hooligans.html</a></h3>
<h3 class="padding-bottom-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; vertical-align: baseline;">
RAGING Celtic chiefs last night branded yobs who went on a £10,000 wrecking spree an embarrassment to the club — as they red-carded more than 100 fans.</h3>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Hoops bosses took the hardline stance after being outraged by the thugs’ behaviour at Motherwell’s Fir Park on Friday night.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The vandals smashed seats, let off smoke bombs and scrawled IRA graffiti, as well as abuse aimed at chief exec Peter Lawwell.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
And last night a spokesman for the club said: “Events such as these do not represent the Celtic support or the club. These events were an embarrassment to our football club and are absolutely indefensible.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Green</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46M3C135ZDevgb2GPKkhPbDnz6jDmmt4Uhm7emkjlOhy3RRnl06Z5EZ-we_2Q6ytgGFYHmcjdx5TashHTL_VgOgbIEabrt5LE9rPWO8KIJNozrd_VBBtCHbSKfvmttPXchf4vU06d2OU/s1600/pitch_1868851a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46M3C135ZDevgb2GPKkhPbDnz6jDmmt4Uhm7emkjlOhy3RRnl06Z5EZ-we_2Q6ytgGFYHmcjdx5TashHTL_VgOgbIEabrt5LE9rPWO8KIJNozrd_VBBtCHbSKfvmttPXchf4vU06d2OU/s400/pitch_1868851a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwgzeBajokIhRNVacne2kN2kXvzaMjOBB2iIb4RFTfVFZ2gjs8a3MTysBBJ4yr2T-uylGJZBv8VG4QQfqKUh3IIGKBtNVq58rt1hbZkkOMax7MDuLVq-pWWf1QaJiNgsORdGkBvwDDas/s1600/yobs_1868855a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwgzeBajokIhRNVacne2kN2kXvzaMjOBB2iIb4RFTfVFZ2gjs8a3MTysBBJ4yr2T-uylGJZBv8VG4QQfqKUh3IIGKBtNVq58rt1hbZkkOMax7MDuLVq-pWWf1QaJiNgsORdGkBvwDDas/s400/yobs_1868855a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Brigade — who gather in section 111 of Celtic Park — insisted the fans involved were not their members.<br />
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But furious Parkhead chiefs have now banned 128 supporters from all of the club’s matches while they probe the mayhem.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Another 250 season ticket holders will be kicked out of the section used by the self-styled ultras.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A Celtic spokesman confirmed the club — who are footing the bill for the damage — had issued “precautionary suspensions against 128 individuals” following the shocking scenes at Fir Park.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
He added: “These suspensions will cover matches at Celtic Park and away matches.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“In addition, the club will be relocating around 250 season book holders in Section 111 to other areas within the stadium, or offering refunds covering the remainder of the season to those who do not wish to be relocated.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Celtic chiefs have launched their own probe into the vandalism and Police Scotland are also investigating.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Hoops bosses have already given the ultras — who claim to add atmosphere — one reprieve this year after reversing a decision to shut section 111 over complaints about safety breaches. A source said: “Celtic have identified individuals involved and those people face indefinite bans from attending games home and away.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Officials from Celtic and Motherwell worked together before the game to ensure the ultras were given seats together in front of the stadium’s police control room.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But the plan failed when the fans moved into seats in the lower section of the South Stand, forcing other supporters to sit elsewhere.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A source added: “The club has been told of incidents involving good, honest supporters being effectively bullied out of the seats they should have been sitting in. It’s totally unacceptable.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Last night Celtic fans flooded Twitter with posts about the club’s moves to smash the Green Brigade.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Peter Smith tweeted: “Glad the Green Brigade are gone. Been too long they’ve thought they were bigger than the club.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Shaun Nicol wrote: “Always been a fan of the Green Brigade, but vandalising a ground after what Ajax did at our ground is embarrassing.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
And Thomas Gourlay also tweeted: “Take my hat off to Celtic in banning the Green Brigade. Never thought I’d see the day.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But other supporters slammed the decision to crack down on the group.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Lewis McDonald wrote: “Can’t believe the Green Brigade are disbanded. Ridiculous decision from the board, maybe Lawwell is going to make the atmosphere himself.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
And Joe Donaghy tweeted: “Fully behind the Green Brigade, least they go and create an atmosphere, all this in-fighting over a few seats.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Green Brigade insists none of its members were involved in the shameful scenes, but admitted they happened in an “unofficial” area linked to their group.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In an earlier statement, they said: “We accept the fact these actions took place behind our banner in what was an unofficial ‘Green Brigade section’ and furthermore that the fans within this area are associated to our group whether they are members or not.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Scottish league chief Neil Doncaster last night slammed the rogue element of the Celtic support. He said: “This type of behaviour has no place in the game.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“We are confident the police and both clubs will play a full part in helping to identify those involved in what were shameful scenes.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In April, the Green Brigade took part in a demonstration as part of Fans Against Criminalisation — a protest over the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act. And they were blasted for unfurling banners comparing IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands to William Wallace at a Champions League match last month.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “Violence in any form is unacceptable and we cannot allow a small minority to ruin games for the well-behaved majority.</div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Our law enforcement agencies have a range of disposals available to deal with such individuals — including banning them from games for up to ten years. We have also established the National Football Policing Unit which was funded with an investment of £1.8million and has been deployed at over 300 games so far.”</div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-47482552280130742302013-12-09T08:11:00.004-08:002013-12-09T08:13:44.652-08:00128 Celtic fans banned after violence<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/252333-celtic-ban-128-fans-and-announce-closure-of-green-brigade-section/">http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/252333-celtic-ban-128-fans-and-announce-closure-of-green-brigade-section/</a></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Celtic have temporarily banned 128 fans and have announced they are to break up the Green Brigade section at Parkhead.</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In a statement, the club announced the action following the behaviour of fans during Friday night's Scottish Premiership away match at Motherwell, during which seats were ripped out and smoke bombs were thrown onto the playing surface.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
After the SPFL condemned the "shameful scenes", Celtic have now moved to take action against those they deem responsible.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A total of 250 season ticket holders located in Section 111, where the Green Brigade are located at Celtic Park, will be moved elsewhere inside the stadium.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In addition, 128 fans have been banned pending investigation by the club and won't be permitted to attend Celtic matches either at home or away.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A statement from the club read: "Following events on Friday evening at Fir Park Stadium, Celtic Football Club today announced that it has issued precautionary suspensions against 128 individuals preventing them attending matches involving Celtic, pending further investigation. These suspensions will cover matches at Celtic Park and away matches.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"In addition, the club will be relocating around 250 season book holders in Section 111 to other areas within the stadium, or offering refunds covering the remainder of the season to those who do not wish to be relocated.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"Events such as those on Friday night do not represent the Celtic support or the club. These events were an embarrassment to our great football club and are absolutely indefensible.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"It is clear that there is an element which has no hesitation in bringing Celtic’s name into disrepute. This is something the club will not tolerate and we therefore have no other option but to take this action.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"We will not allow the great name of Celtic to be damaged in this way any more - our supporters deserve more than this.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"While recent events are very regrettable, we would like to thank our many thousands of fans for the wonderful, positive backing which they continue to give to Celtic. We are sure these supporters will understand the position which the club is in and we are also sure they will unite with the club as we move forward.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"Celtic Football Club is in excellent shape on and off the field. The club is in a very safe and strong position and we have a young, exciting team working hard to deliver quality football and success for our supporters, as they did on Friday evening with a magnificent performance. This is what we want to be talking about and this is what we want to celebrate.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"Celtic has a proud 125-year history and fundamental to that history have been our fans. Our supporters enjoy a wonderful reputation earned across many years, many families and many generations. This is something we must protect vigorously."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Police Scotland made no arrests inside Fir Park but have said they are reviewing CCTV footage to identify those responsible.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
They confirmed the use of 18 smoke bombs, three fireworks and one flare.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Earlier on Monday, SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster condemned the behaviour of Celtic supporters as the league started an investigation into events.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
He said: "We have already been in touch with both clubs and the police following the disturbances during Friday night’s fixture at Fir Park.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"We absolutely condemn this type of behaviour. It has no place in the game.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"We are confident that the police and both clubs will play a full part in helping to identify those involved in what were shameful scenes.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"We expect the SPFL Match Delegate report to be with us within the next 24 to 48 hours.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"The SPFL will work closely with our colleagues at both clubs and with the police as part of a thorough investigation into Friday night’s events."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
STV understands a decision on whether action will be taken by the league is expected to be made within the next seven days.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-12288023431983700592013-12-09T03:49:00.001-08:002013-12-09T03:59:14.996-08:00Celtic in hot water over vandalism<div class="p1">
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2520273/Scottish-Professional-Football-League-reprimand-Celtic-crowds-vandalism-pyrotechnics-Motherwell.html">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2520273/Scottish-Professional-Football-League-reprimand-Celtic-crowds-vandalism-pyrotechnics-Motherwell.html</a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The Scottish Professional Football League could take action against Celtic when its match delegate's report lands at Hampden and reveals the extent of the vandalism and pyrotechnic displays which marred their win at Motherwell.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
An estimated £10,000 worth of damage was caused to seating in the middle lower area of the South Stand at Fir Park, just above where a Green Brigade banner was displayed.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
A flare was let off in the same area before the game while two green smoke bombs were thrown into the goalmouth, one of them landing yards from Hoops goalkeeper Fraser Forster.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
A missile also flew from the Celtic support not far over the head of the England goalkeeper just after Kris Commons opened the scoring in Celtic's highly-impressive 5-0 Scottish Premiership triumph.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
While Celtic are preparing to take on Barcelona in their final Champions League game of the season on Wednesday, the Nou Camp clash has, for now, been overshadowed by scenes Celtic described as 'appalling'.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mUb2WvmGk97JxmSRAQdvWGmtgVAPlv59nCpnIBw_kpkSCAT72S0_zx4OI207JmMd7UW4Oj8l3PaqXBRO9fApa3g51i83lwIbs1VWcOf3ETLsLTM693ntRaJ3W93ddkesICBqlo1j7Ys/s1600/article-2520273-19EA9E1100000578-331_634x338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mUb2WvmGk97JxmSRAQdvWGmtgVAPlv59nCpnIBw_kpkSCAT72S0_zx4OI207JmMd7UW4Oj8l3PaqXBRO9fApa3g51i83lwIbs1VWcOf3ETLsLTM693ntRaJ3W93ddkesICBqlo1j7Ys/s320/article-2520273-19EA9E1100000578-331_634x338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSaQqGhwOjBE08PvWBRNs3-6ZiD4Fpb7P-6zHcV65bwf2kawKTGWu0e_rmQ4mjyICDORb4uNm_PH93TBD1PGKkaROLwWlrjp1Id0ieS5ayD16OJt7bG4YZctwfWF81kS-t4AZ6Tdefeg/s1600/article-2520273-19EA71DD00000578-128_634x476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSaQqGhwOjBE08PvWBRNs3-6ZiD4Fpb7P-6zHcV65bwf2kawKTGWu0e_rmQ4mjyICDORb4uNm_PH93TBD1PGKkaROLwWlrjp1Id0ieS5ayD16OJt7bG4YZctwfWF81kS-t4AZ6Tdefeg/s320/article-2520273-19EA71DD00000578-128_634x476.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkviJc2eSXOu0rMMonDa4vSri4M4iyxCK_C7_wXC-b4KMsBqAfGUdArOG20JkEOvcad_-Gml_l219eMaGvV_jjIJg1tpsq7Vf1wpPx35_3aPtfM9lPKXmPRQE1XWkZvFg1108UFjx1ZAE/s1600/article-2520273-19EEEC6200000578-331_634x422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkviJc2eSXOu0rMMonDa4vSri4M4iyxCK_C7_wXC-b4KMsBqAfGUdArOG20JkEOvcad_-Gml_l219eMaGvV_jjIJg1tpsq7Vf1wpPx35_3aPtfM9lPKXmPRQE1XWkZvFg1108UFjx1ZAE/s320/article-2520273-19EEEC6200000578-331_634x422.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
Police Scotland is looking into the 'significant damage' caused to seats and it counted 18 smoke bombs, three fireworks and one flare were set off. No arrests were made inside Fir Park.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Celtic have launched their own investigation while the Green Brigade fans group has also condemned the vandalism and admitted it should have self-policed its section more effectively.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
A Green Brigade statement read: 'Firstly we do not condone the breaking of seats nor do we welcome pyrotechnics being thrown on the park. We as a group are as disappointed as any about such indefensible behaviour and regret that it happened on our watch.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
'Whilst it was not members of our group behaving in this manner, we accept the fact that these actions took place behind our banner in what was an unofficial "Green Brigade section" and furthermore that the fans within this area are associated to our group whether they are members or not.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
'It is particularly disappointing given how hard we have worked as a member organisation of Fans Against Criminalisation and of our own accord to fight the criminalisation of football supporters as we realise the damage that the events of Friday night could have on our efforts to challenge the continued harassment of Celtic fans by Police Scotland.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
'Ultimately, we should have had greater control of the bodies present within our block and our failure to do so has resulted in events which are unacceptable and we will strive to ensure that such scenes are not repeated.'</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The main Celtic fans' group, the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs, expressed frustration at the actions.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
A statement read: 'We should be discussing another devastating Celtic performance on the pitch instead we are talking about disappointments off the field.</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Let's make no mistake that incidents like (Friday) night at Fir Park and the publicity that this attracts makes any negotiations regarding ticket pricing, safe standing and policing at games more difficult.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">'</span>Any payment for damage and fines that are the responsibility of the club are ultimately paid by us. This is a measurable cost. The damage to our reputation as a support is unquantifiable.</div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">'</span>In a time when we are fighting to reduce ticket prices, fighting against the Offensive Behaviour Act and trying to make the game more attractive to the thousands who fans who have lost interest (Friday) night is nothing short of disheartening and does nothing to help.'</div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-10794477847123589292013-12-09T03:38:00.002-08:002013-12-09T03:42:04.873-08:00Cheap loans for Celtic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1cuE1SkN5TvamJQMCc7BDzhTUUHz5QMuAMwgXe32w20vjhEdDFHutflZdKcljqr6QnvBccSd4gUOqgh6VLatv-TRSBKODcvDRy3J69Tu42qJHa3dA3GN8mkYtYTMTjbtbx-gPwfWcsw/s1600/article-0-19AF31E800000578-583_634x337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1cuE1SkN5TvamJQMCc7BDzhTUUHz5QMuAMwgXe32w20vjhEdDFHutflZdKcljqr6QnvBccSd4gUOqgh6VLatv-TRSBKODcvDRy3J69Tu42qJHa3dA3GN8mkYtYTMTjbtbx-gPwfWcsw/s400/article-0-19AF31E800000578-583_634x337.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Co-operative Bank has come under fire for dishing out £33.2million in cheap loans and overdrafts to Celtic Football Club, which was chaired by former Labour home secretary John Reid.<br />
<br />
MPs last night demanded an explanation for the rock bottom interest rates and accused the mutual of using the ‘hard-earned cash of millions of savers for political gain’.<br />
<br />
It is the latest twist in the row over the troubled lender’s links with the Labour Party. <br /><br />
Glasgow-based Celtic was chaired by Lord Reid, the former home secretary under Tony Blair, between 2007 and 2011.<br />
<br />
Labour’s former energy minister Brian Wilson joined the Celtic board in 2005 and remains a director.<br />
Insiders said the loan pre-dates both Wilson and Reid’s arrival at the club.<br />
<br />
But Celtic has long-established links with Labour, which has controlled Glasgow City Council since the 1970s.<br />
<br />
The latest company accounts for Celtic show it has a £12million overdraft facility charging an average of 1.5 per cent over the year to June 30 2013.<br />
<br />
This is based on one percentage point above the Bank of England’s base rate, which is currently 0.5 per cent.<br />
<br />
The remainder is made up of a £21.2million long-term loan, with an average rate of 1.65 per cent. This makes even Labour’s recent £1.2million cheap loan at 4 per cent – or 3.5 per cent above Base Rate – look expensive.<br />
<br />
Co-op’s hugely generous terms once again highlight the close links between the scandal-hit lender and the upper echelons of the Labour Party.<br />
<br />
The political connection has come under the spotlight after former Labour councillor and former Co-op Bank chairman the Reverend Paul Flowers was caught out allegedly organising drug-fuelled orgies with rent boys.<br />
<br />
Mark Garnier, the Conservative MP and member of the Treasury Select Committee, said: ‘The questions about Labour’s influence over the management of the Co-op knows no limit. It now seems that cheap loans are available to organisations where Labour ministers have significant influence as well as directly to the Labour Party itself.’<br />
<br />
He added: Why were Labour and their friends receiving cheap loans? What political outcomes was the Co-op trying to buy? Were the millions of savers at the Co-op bank told their hard-earned cash was being used for political gain? Have any of the Labour-related soft loans contributed to the £1.5billion black hole in the Co-op balance sheet?’<br />
<br />
The first deadline to vote on a rescue package to plug a £1.5billion black hole in the lender’s finances falls at 4.30pm on Friday.<br />
<br />
The Co-operative Party, the political wing of the Co-op, is the sister party of Labour.<br />
<br />
In order to help shore up its finances Co-op Bank stopped lending to small firms in May.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-64545969030025323952013-12-08T04:14:00.003-08:002013-12-08T04:22:23.638-08:00Ibrox ban on Celtic fans<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
<a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/ibrox-ban-on-celtic-fans-1.722638">http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/ibrox-ban-on-celtic-fans-1.722638</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Thursday 27 January 1994</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
CELTIC supporters have been banned indefinitely from Ibrox, which Rangers claim has been vandalised once too often.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Rangers say it has cost them more than £20,000 to repair damage caused by Celtic ticket holders at Old Firm matches played at Ibrox since March 1992.</div>
<div class="roa visible" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px;">
Rangers add that several attempts have been made to persuade Celtic that they should accept responsibility for their supporters' behaviour.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
''With reference to the most recent encounter, on October 30, 1993, we have been corresponding with Celtic on a regular basis,'' said Rangers' chairman David Murray, ''and it is perfectly clear from their letters that they accept no responsibility whatsoever for this vandalism. The cost following that match to repair damage was #7800 and we can no longer tolerate this type of destruction.''</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Mr Murray added: ''The board of directors has taken the decision to withhold all ticketing allocations to Celtic Football Club in respect of our next scheduled league match at Ibrox on Saturday, April 30. Tickets will be available only to Rangers supporters.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
''We regret the matter has reached this point. However, due to the intransigent attitude of Celtic Football Club and their lack of responsibility with regard to the behaviour of their supporters' behaviour, we believe no other course of action is now available to us.'' Rangers wrote to Celtic on Tuesday informing them of the ban.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Celtic chairman Kevin Kelly said: ''This matter was raised at the Scottish League management committee last week when it was agreed that clubs should be responsible only for their own grounds.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
''We have suffered damage at Celtic Park but prefer to keep it quiet rather than draw attention to the kind of people who do these things. However, banning another club's fans is a dangerous action to take.''</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Mr Murray says that the problem hit him suddenly while he was writing a cheque for #142,000 to be paid to Celtic for Rangers' ticket allocation at the last Old Firm match at Celtic Park on New Year's Day. It struck him that he was collecting for Celtic when in return their fans go to his ground and cause damage.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
''They don't buy our programmes or eat our fast food. But they do smash our seats,'' he said.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Rangers also say that they have to pay an added #12,000 on their police bill when Celtic visit. Mr Murray does not fear a backlash with Celtic refusing to give tickets to Rangers' fans. He knows, of course, that Celtic, who are more than #5m in debt, cannot afford to go without the money generated by Rangers' supporters.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Mr Murray also knows he can sell out Ibrox when Celtic play even without their supporters.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
There is no law in the game which states that clubs must give their opponents tickets and Mr Peter Donald, secretary of the Scottish League, said: ''It is most unfortunate and there is no doubt that part of football's attraction is the atmosphere which can be generated by supporters of opposing clubs.''</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Mr Gerry Madden, general secretary of Celtic FC supporters' association, said he was surprised at the move. His group has spoken to the police seeking a solution to the vandalism and added: ''If someone would give us the sophisticated video evidence which Rangers say they have, perhaps we could do something.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
''I hope there will be a change of heart because this is supposed to be the greatest club game in the world.''</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Mr Peter Rafferty, chairman of the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters' Clubs, said: ''We have to hope this is not an end to the matter and that there will be room for some kind of compromise.''</div>
</div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-65026150028127245152013-12-08T04:13:00.003-08:002013-12-08T04:24:22.433-08:00Ibrox ban on Celtic hits youth match<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
<a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/ibrox-ban-on-celtic-hits-youth-match-1.711508">http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/ibrox-ban-on-celtic-hits-youth-match-1.711508</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Tuesday 12 April 1994</span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
THE dispute between the Old Firm, with Rangers refusing Celtic's supporters entry to Ibrox, has spilled over into a youth match which will be played at Ibrox this evening forcing Celtic to make the strongest possible protest to the Scottish Football Association.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Rangers, who claim Celtic's fans have been causing damage to their stadium over the past 10 years, are refusing to allow opposition supporters into seated areas during tonight's BP Scottish Youth Cup semi-final tie, a decision which has disappointed and angered the directors at Parkhead.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Rangers are demanding more than £7000 compensation from Celtic, claiming their fans caused damage to seating in the Broamloan Stand, and when the Old Firm meet at Ibrox on Saturday, April 30, there will be no Celtic fans in attendance.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
However, Celtic's directors felt that the dispute would have been set aside this evening, when they say their supporters will be mainly family groups wishing to do no more than watch youngsters play in the under-18 cup competition. But despite negotiations, faxes, and approaches to the SFA, under whose auspices the BP cup is run, Celtic have been told they can use the east standing enclosure in front of the main stand.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Only if more fans than that area can accommodate -- 3462 -- turn up will Rangers allow part of the stand to be opened up to Celtic's fans.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Naturally, Celtic believe Rangers are extending the ban imposed for major games and came close to withdrawing from the tournament, but decided to play on because it would have been unfair on their own younger players, who will be trying to win a place in the final against Airdrie.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
''However, we feel we must protest over the manner in which our supporters are to be treated at Ibrox for this match,'' said director Dominic Kean. ''After all, the youth cup is a time when we should be celebrating the good things in football, and should have nothing to do with the game's politics. People, families, want to go and watch their own playing a game.''</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Jim Farry, chief executive of the SFA, said that, under the circumstances, there would be a degree of sympathy for Celtic within the association and added: ''Two heads need to be knocked together, one at Ibrox and the other at Celtic Park. Someone should be doing the knocking, and soon.''</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">
Relations between the clubs could be improved at the weekend when Brian Dempsey returns from the US.</div>
If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017195241356208946.post-22429813495307725152013-12-08T03:29:00.002-08:002013-12-08T04:12:30.060-08:00Celtic fans putting "lives at risk"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjky722OG3SkHPe06RwxguS15M5EtGFIhRYRLewhsiebqwlY8INJJ5kXzL-xNZe1dZ9Yr_WfT2tktcdGOcPdwuXeCmW_SMgyTpcz6hFeIC0ItXxCHBPcQfP2d9ikzXw_rsdMQ1nwJyVLaA/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-12-08+at+11.29.01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjky722OG3SkHPe06RwxguS15M5EtGFIhRYRLewhsiebqwlY8INJJ5kXzL-xNZe1dZ9Yr_WfT2tktcdGOcPdwuXeCmW_SMgyTpcz6hFeIC0ItXxCHBPcQfP2d9ikzXw_rsdMQ1nwJyVLaA/s400/Screen+shot+2013-12-08+at+11.29.01.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hugh-keevins-must-stop-rogue-2904421">http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hugh-keevins-must-stop-rogue-2904421</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">YOU couldn’t give a section of Celtic’s support a red neck with a blow torch, never mind the green flare they threw on to the pitch at Fir Park.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">There they were with their banner asking that Nelson Mandela, the ultimate man of peace, be allowed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">to rest in peace.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">And then they got on with the wanton damage that saw seats destroyed while Motherwell boss Stuart McCall was subjected to chants about being a “sad Orange b*****d”.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Some people just have no sense of irony. The team the misguided had paid to watch is currently in the best form it has enjoyed for a long time.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">But the football is never enough for those who have taken a weird turn since Rangers went into liquidation.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">The obsession with insisting that Gers died – and the current side has a history 18 months old – has come with an arrogance that was unpleasant to watch at Motherwell.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Lennon said his heart sank when he saw the banners depicting William Wallace and Bobby Sands which disfigured the Champions League game with Milan.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Now the manager and his chief executive, Peter Lawwell, have to speak out against supporters who are blemishing the club’s reputation.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Celtic have just updated and republished the book detailing their history over the last 125 years – and it is a story well worth the telling.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">A team started for charitable purposes has always had what their greatest captain Billy McNeill described as a fairytale aspect attached to it.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Celtic’s appearance in the Nou Camp on Wednesday night vouches for their decent standing in Europe.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">And the derision their efforts receive from the rival support at Ibrox is an irrelevance since that is based on the need for something to camouflage their current, lower-league status.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">It is as unthinking as the damage that’s being done to Celtic’s good name by the unruly element who will now make their club the object of the SPFL’s attention.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">But all of that unwanted attention is meaningless to the vandals, flare throwers and obscene chanters.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">If you can embarrass your club while the team is 5-0 up then you don’t do sober reflection.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">And what’s even worse is that any attempt to draw attention to the supporters’ misbehaviour is always met with a hostility based on a belief that no such incidents ever happened, or could happen, where the Celtic support is concerned.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">There are signs of old-fashioned hooliganism returning to Scottish football. A flare was thrown on to the pitch during Rangers’Scottish Cup tie at Falkirk causing damage to the artificial pitch.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Money is a constant source of concern at Ibrox, particularly when serious-minded men-in-the-know don't rule out the possibility of a second insolvency event.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">So how regretful should the culprits feel when they see to it that a cheque for damages has to be forwarded from Ibrox to Falkirk?</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">The answer is they’ll probably feel no remorse whatsoever and they won’t until somebody does something to halt a growing menace.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">The Old Firm game used to be a safety valve that was periodically released to take the steam out of a poisonous rivalry.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Now they live separate lives and the result has been the misfits have to release their troublesome instincts in another way.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Confession, they say, is good for the soul. The first thing the majority of decent Celtic fans have to admit </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">is they don’t recognise the kind of person they can find beside them today.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">I also got a close-up look at Motherwell’s incendiary division last weekend because they were fouling the air, and making a nuisance of themselves, in the vicinity of the press box at Hamilton’s ground.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">They go through their dance routines then let off their toys, at which point several people emerge from the crowd to film their smoke-shrouded pals on their mobiles.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Older Well fans, meanwhile, were congregated well away from them and getting progressively more irked by their team’s performance.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">They made displeasure known in the traditional, verbally-colourful manner then started to leave before Albion Rovers scored the winner.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">But the dance troupe didn’t have any real sense of how badly their team had played due to the fact they didn’t appear to be that bothered by what happened on the pitch.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">In the meantime they had caused damage to seats belonging to the club who hosted their game as a courtesy to both Lanarkshire neighbours.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">That will cost Well money they shouldn’t have to pay at a time when every penny’s a prisoner.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Those supporters also threw another canister on to the pitch, forcing the people in wheelchairs to take evasive action.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">You’d think supporters of a club whose manager was involved in a stadium disaster that claimed the lives of 56 people because of a fire would consider his feelings before setting light to canisters in a stand containing thousands of their fellow supporters. One of the most harrowing conversations I’ve ever had with McCall recounted his memories of that day in Bradford.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">The hand-burning sensation he felt when he tried to open his car door two hours after the dead and the dying had been removed to hospital.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">The search for his father that ended in a case of mistaken identity when Stuart was pointed in the direction of a man with first-degree burns.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">He had only recovered from a deep sense of shock in the hospital ward when he heard his dad whisper: “Son, I’m over here.”</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Now McCall is working in an environment where we’ve started to breed our own pyromaniacs.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">It is an offence to enter, or attempt to enter, a football ground while in possession of a flare, smoke canister or firework.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Possession of either one carries a custodial sentence if the court believes that’s in order.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">So why are so many being allowed to endanger health and safety on a regular basis?</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">That’s as much of a mystery as the suggestion that McCall has destroyed his own managerial reputation because his team had an off-day in a Scottish Cup tie.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana; font-size: 13px;">Put that in your canister and smoke it.</span>If You Know Their Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770244062897473566noreply@blogger.com