Showing posts with label Firework. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Firework. Show all posts

Monday, December 9, 2013

Celtic in hot water over vandalism


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.

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.

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.

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.

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'.



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.

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.

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.

'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.

'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.

'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.'

The main Celtic fans' group, the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs, expressed frustration at the actions.

A statement read: 'We should be discussing another devastating Celtic performance on the pitch instead we are talking about disappointments off the field.

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.

'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.

'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.'

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Police hunt Celtic yobs who threw coins and fireworks


YOBS who threw coins and set off fireworks in shameful scenes at Celtic’s Boxing Day match are being hunted by police.
Police were called to clashes among the 3000-strong travelling support in the Bob Shankly stand at Dens Park.
The fighting had stopped before they arrived.
But they revealed yesterday that they are continuing to hunt down those responsible.
And they are also probing coin-throwing and firework offences.
The trouble-makers have been condemned by Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell and manager Neil Lennon. And the club have vowed to assist with police inquiries.
Five people have been reported to the procurator fiscal over alleged offences at the match.
One man, Dion McLeish, has appeared in court over alleged pro-IRA chanting and has been banned from Celtic away matches ahead of his trial.
Match commander Superintendent Jim Leslie said: “We are carrying out further inquiries to see if we can
identify the people fighting.
“We are also investigating coin-throwing and fireworks.
“What we had was an evening kick-off on Boxing Day where football fans had ample time to get through a lot of alcohol.”
He added that, although stewards would refuse entry to any obviously drunk people, the number of fans present at the sell-out match made it difficult for them.
He added: “It’s clear that there were people within the ground who had consumed alcohol and a number of offences were committed by fans in the Celtic end.”
Jim Thomson, Dundee’s operations manager, said after the game: “There was almost a full-scale riot. I had Celtic fans coming up to me to tell me they were embarrassed by their own fans’ behaviour.”

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...