Ban on flags at Celtic's first away match since Motherwell riot

http://news.stv.tv/west-central/257960-celtic-fan-flags-banned-at-boxing-day-tie-against-st-johnstone/

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.

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.

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."

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."

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.

"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.

"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."

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."

It also said police will carry out "stop checks carried out on supporters’ buses en route to the game."

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."

Celtic fans arrested for Motherwell riot

Five people have been arrested in connection with crowd trouble at the Motherwell v Celtic game last week

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.

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.

Police said 18 smoke bombs, three fireworks and one flare were set off.

There were also disturbances and vandalism in Motherwell both before and after the game.

Officers said five people were arrested in connection with the disorder on Monday and inquiries are continuing.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/u/five-arrested-after-celtic-fan-trouble-at-motherwell-match.1386845170

FIVE Celtic fans have been arrested following shameful vandalism

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/five-celtic-fans-arrested-following-2917895

FIVE Celtic fans have been arrested following shameful vandalism and flare-throwing at Motherwell last Friday night.

Celts chiefs suspended 128 supporters and relocated 250 season-ticket holders after dozens of seats were damaged during their 5-0 victory.

Police Scotland have now confirmed the first arrests were made on Monday.

The hooliganism was the latest in a string of incidents involving fans in the Green Brigade group.

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.

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.

Five Celtic fans arrested after disturbances at Motherwell's Fir Park

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/252688-five-celtic-fans-arrested-after-disturbances-at-motherwells-fir-park/

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.

The damage was caused at Fir Park during the match on Friday, with seats in the south stand pulled out.

Officers said 18 smoke bombs, three fireworks and one flare were set off.

There were also disturbances and vandalism in Motherwell both before and after the game.

Police Scotland have since arrested five people in connection with the disturbances and are trawling through CCTV as they try and indentify other people.

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.

The match saw Celtic defeat Motherwell 5-0.

Police confident of arresting Celtic supporters following Fir Park disorder

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25314595

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. 

Celtic suspended 128 fans from their games and relocated 250 season-ticket holders following damage caused to seats. 

Smoke bombs and flares were also thrown during Celtic's 5-0 success. 

Superintendent Stephen McAllister said: "Clearly, Police Scotland are very concerned about the vandalism we saw." 

Assistant manager Johan Mjallby insists Celtic had to take firm action against the fans whose behaviour marred last Friday's win.
"I don't think it left the club with any other option but to suspend some fans," said Mjallby. 

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. 

The precautionary suspensions imposed on fans will cover matches away from home as well as at Celtic Park. 

The club statement added: "These events were an embarrassment to our great football club and are absolutely indefensible." 

Talking on Celtic's departure for Barcelona on Champions League duty, Mjallby added: "It is very unfortunate what happened. 

"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. 

"It is a distraction I don't like to see because I like to work with the players. 

"The club has reacted in the best way." 

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." 

Celtic in hot water over vandalism

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2520273/Scottish-Professional-Football-League-reprimand-Celtic-crowds-vandalism-pyrotechnics-Motherwell.html

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.'