Celtic fan fails in appeal against conviction

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

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

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

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

Celtic supporting footballer suspended over sick Ibrox Disaster comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://news.stv.tv/tayside/218504-east-stirling-player-brett-molloy-suspended-over-ibrox-disaster-remark/

Thirteen arrested in 'aggressive' protest by Celtic fans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thirteen Celtic fans arrested

Thirteen arrests have been made after police moved in to break up what they said was an unauthorised march by the Green Brigade group of Celtic fans.

Almost 200 officers were deployed to the gathering outside the Chrystal Bell pub in Glasgow's Gallowgate.

Police said the crowd "appeared to be attempting to stage an illegal street procession and officers were deployed to prevent this".

The arrests were made for alleged public order offences.

The Green Brigade had posted on its website ahead of the protest that it would be holding a "corteo to Celtic Park to raise awareness and show support for the growing list of Celtic supporters receiving and facing bans" from both the Scottish Premier League football club and the procurator fiscal.

It warned those taking part that police would "use every and any excuse to instigate trouble".

Strathclyde Police said many of the people at the pub "were wearing similar hooded tops and using scarves to hide their identities" at about 13:00.

Mounted officers

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

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

More officers were deployed as the crowd became increasingly confrontational and aggressive”

Strathclyde Police

"However, this was ignored and more officers were deployed as the crowd became increasingly confrontational and aggressive.

"The situation was contained a short time later. CCTV and helicopter footage was captured and will be studied as part of the investigation."

Officers, including mounted personnel, who had already been deployed to deal with a number of planned events across the city had been diverted to deal with the incident.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has previously praised the Green Brigade for the atmosphere they create inside the stadium but also urged a minority to stop singing pro-Irish Republican songs.

Ahead of the protest before the home match against Aberdeen, the Green Brigade said: "It is no secret the level of harassment many fans receive at the hands of Strathclyde Police.

"Nor is Celtic plc's complicity able to be ignored. As such, there is an ever-growing list of fans being denied their passion of following their team.

'Ongoing harassment'

"Unlike previous corteos held by the Green Brigade, this one has a little more meaning.

"While we urge as many fans as possible to turn out in support of all those currently banned and those facing ongoing harassment, it is important to remember the purpose behind this march.

"Therefore, we would appreciate it if colour was kept to a minimum in the form of flags and banners; similarly any chanting should be kept relevant to the topic at hand.

"The Green Brigade will be supplying 300 black t-shirts bearing the slogan 'The banned Bhoys stand with us' and these will be distributed to section members.

"We'd appreciate it if these shirts were worn on the march and also within the stadium to further highlight the situation."

The fans group claimed it would be police who would instigated any trouble, adding: "Please be mindful of the police presence and their actions. Please do not play into their hands.

"Avoid all communication as far as possible, have witnesses around you and a camera at hand to film/photograph them."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-21813699

Celtic yobs kicked off jet on runway

EXCLUSIVE by DOUGLAS WALKER

BOOZED-UP Celtic yobs got the boot from a flight to Italy before take-off.

Eleven louts were ejected by airport cops after they caused mayhem on board the British Airways jet.

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

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

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

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

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

Police said no arrests were made over the disturbance.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/feeds/smartphone/scotland/4828605/Dermot-Doshmond-parties-with-Celtic-fans-in-Italy.html#ixzz2MqQzDLAR

Celtic fans riot. 9 police & 49 fans injured. 43 arrested

Mother of three beaten by Celtic bigot on train

• By Dailyrecord.co.uk

Mum-of-three beaten by teen girl on a train for asking her to stop singing sectarian songs

2 Feb 2013 08:14

A WOMAN was left black and blue after a tiny teen girl attacked her on a busy train when she asked her to stop singing sectarian songs.

ELIZABETH IRWIN had her hair pulled and was dragged about the train carriage before being punched in the face after she asked Jade McKnight to stop singing songs.

Elizabeth Irwin, 39, was viciously beaten by Jade McKnight, 17, who was on her way home from a Celtic v Dunfermline match.

Horrified passengers looked on as Celtic fan McKnight screamed abuse at mother-of-three Elizabeth.

McKnight, of Lanark, pulled her hair and called her an “Orange b*****d” before repeatedly punching her.

Elizabeth was heading home to Wishaw with her husband Tom when she was attacked in February last year.

Elizabeth, who runs a cake making business, said: “We heard McKnight and her friends coming up the train singing songs.

“They sat across from us and continued singing and chanting but we tried to ignore them.

“She then kept telling me to join in with singing. When I said no she called me an Orange b*****d and hurled abuse at me.

“I stood up and asked where she was getting off and she said Lanark.

“We were at Motherwell so I asked her to move as I didn’t want to listen until we were getting off at Wishaw.

“She then yanked my hair and dragged me about. It happened so quickly and I’m not sure if it was a fist, knee or chair that hit me in the face.

“I was black and blue, suffered mild concussion and headaches. My chest was bruised and I ended up with a black eye.”

McKnight was arrested at Wishaw train station and charged by British Transport Police.

She had been due to be sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court but was ordered to return to court next week due to a paperwork delay.

She had earlier pled guilty to one charge of assault to injury and one of threatening and abusive behaviour with a sectarian element.

Her bail conditions ban her from attending any Celtic matches.

Elizabeth added: “When I saw her in court I couldn’t believe the size of her.

“She is tiny and I kept thinking how could she do that to someone my size.”

Ball boy attacked at Celtic match

Hearts vow thug fans won't win as ball boy, 13, struck by coin ...

By DAVID McCANN

Published on Friday 10 February 2012 15:55

HEARTS today vowed to keep ball boys at games against Celtic despite another schoolboy being injured by a coin thrown from the crowd during the high-pressure clash.

The latest incident saw a 13-year-old struck in the lower back about 30 minutes before full-time, prompting Tynecastle security to withdraw all ball boys and girls from the area as tensions mounted.

Police have launched an investigation but it is understood CCTV footage of the incident was “inconclusive” and it is not known which set of supporters was responsible.

Wednesday night’s incident, which saw paramedics treat the boy for a minor injury, is the latest in a string of ugly incidents during games against the Glasgow club.

It comes less than a year after Hearts supporter John Wilson ran on to the pitch at Tynecastle and lunged at Celtic manager Neil Lennon. During that same match, a 14-year-old ball boy was reported to have been hit by a 2p coin.

And in October the News told how a schoolboy football team was left “shaken and shocked” after being subjected to foul-mouthed abuse from Celtic fans when they took to the Tynecastle pitch.

It is understood fans from both clubs had been aiming coins at each other during Celtic’s 4-0 win.

Linda More, a Hearts season-ticket holder whose 14-year-old daughter was a ball girl at Wednesday’s match, said there was a “poisonous” atmosphere whenever Celtic visited.

“It’s so hostile at these games now and it’s kids who have got caught in the crossfire,” she said.

“My daughter said there were coins being thrown and that they were told to leave the pitch and go into the main stand for their safety. It seems like in each game we play now there’s some sort of incident.

“Why do kids need to be subjected to that, especially when you are trying to encourage them to go to football? It’s just wrong.”

Gorgie Councillor and Hearts supporter Eric Milligan said: “Last season there was a very bad edge at the Hearts games against Celtic and it has led to things that shouldn’t have happened.

“Throwing coins on the pitch or doing anything that might disrupt the business of the ball boys has to be deplored.”

A Hearts spokesman said: “There was a ball boy struck by a missile and he was examined by the medical people, but no further treatment was required.

“The ball boys and girls were removed as a matter of precaution.

“They will be back in place when we next play Celtic, but if their safety is compromised the same action will be taken.”

Celtic FC said they had not been informed about the incident, but it is understood that they would co-operate with Hearts and the police if necessary.

A police spokesman, said: “Inquiries are ongoing following a report of a 13-year-old ball boy being struck by a coin.”

Meanwhile, a 42-year-old man has been charged with a breach of the peace aggravated by religious prejudice during the game and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Celtic fan denies singing pro-IRA chants at Dundee United game

A Celtic fan accused of singing a pro-IRA chant at a game is contesting the accusation on the grounds that of "relevancy".

Gary Moore allegedly chanted pro-terrorist slogans at the Glasgow club’s match against Dundee United at Tannadice Stadium on November 4 last year.

The 36-year-old is accused of singing in support of a proscribed terrorist organisation which was likely to incite public disorder.

Moore, of Tanfield Street in Glasgow’s Springboig, was not present at Dundee Sheriff Court on Friday when the case under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act called.

Andrew Sloane, defending, said: "We are taking a plea to the relevancy in this case. The song he is accused of singing should not be under this legislation. It wasn't a song related to a proscribed terrorist organisation."

Moore had been banned from attending matches after being charged in a previous hearing, but that sanction was lifted at the most recent calling of the case.

Mr Sloane added: "He is a 36-year-old man, an accountant, a father-of-three and a man of good character. He is a Celtic season ticket holder and has been since 1995. His ticket cost him £600 for this season."

Sheriff Richard Davidson continued the case to a hearing on the relevancy of the charges on February 20.

The SPL match finished 2-2 with Dundee United scoring twice late on to cancel out Celtic's goals from Miku and Tony Watt.

http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/211388-celtic-fan-denies-singing-pro-ira-chants-at-dundee-united-game/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Celtic fan to stand trial for 'racially abusing Rangers players' on Twitter

A man is to stand trial accused of racially abusing two former Rangers players on Twitter.

Michael Convery, 41, from Govan, Glasgow, is accused of making racist remarks which caused or were intended to cause alarm and distress.

The alleged comments were made to Swansea player Kyle Bartley and Bursapor midfielder Maurice Edu on January 14, 2012.

Both players were with Rangers at the time of the alleged incident.

Convery denied the charges when he appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

A trial date has been set for later this year.

http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/211094-man-to-stand-trial-for-racially-abusing-kyle-bartley-and-maurice-edu/

Celtic fan arrested for sickening bigoted abuse

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/scottishnews/4757175/Footy-bigot-baits-Andy-Goram-in-bookies.html

A YOB was arrested yesterday after launching a vile sectarian attack on former Scotland goalie Andy Goram.

Bigot Aaron Laing, 25, is seen yelling sickening abuse at the Rangers legend in a video posted online.

In it he brands Goram, 49, a “dirty Orange b*****d” and jokes about his battles with mental illness.

Cops nicked Laing at his home in Peterhead last night and charged him with breach of the peace.

Laing — who dated Scotland boss Gordon Strachan’s niece when he was in charge at Celtic — ran into Scottish SunSport columnist Goram in a bookies in his hometown of Peterhead at the weekend.

The video shows the ex-footballer sitting at a gambling machine. Laing pokes fun at his past problems with schizophrenia by shouting: “There’s only two Andy Gorams.”

Foul-mouthed Laing then yells: “What a dirty ***t”.

He also makes a quip about Gers’ tax affairs when he bawls: “Andy Goram spending all his EBTs on the *****ng roulette machine. W**k.”

Goram — who keeps smiling throughout the incident — was in the town as a guest of a local supporters club.

He said yesterday: “I was shocked. You don’t expect that kind of abuse. I bit my lip as I didn’t want to get done for assault.”

Outraged fans slammed Laing last night after the video, which it’s thought he filmed himself, went viral.

Rangers Supporters Association boss John Macmillan said: “It’s totally unacceptable.”

On Twitter, user Only an Excuse wrote: “If you behave like a bigot you can’t expect police not to get involved.”

Last night Grampian Police said a 25-year-old man is due to appear at Peterhead Sheriff Court today.

60 injured as Celtic fans riot in Burnley

1978-09-12: Burnley 1-0 Celtic, Anglo Scottish Cup

• Play had to be stopped after Police moved in to several areas of the ground after disturbances.

• Over 20 arrests are made.

• 60 injured in riot

Celtic fans had arrived in the town centre all day and had been drinking heavily. When the game began the Burnley fans had taunted the Celtic fans with chants of 'Rangers' and 'Argentina'. After this Celtic fans threw cans and bottles and invaded the 'no mans land' piece of terracing separating the rival fans.

Only the appearance of Police dogs managed to force them back into their own section. Celtic fans tore up six foot iron railings and used them as missiles.

Superintendent Henderson of Lancashire police said it was the worst hooliganism he had experienced and that 60 people were injured including several police.

Referee, Pat Partridge had to withdraw the players for a period until order was restored. Billy McNeill and the Celtic players appealed to the fans for calm.

http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/1978-09-12%3A+Burnley+1-0+Celtic,+Anglo+Scottish+Cup

Celtic fans in 'serious disorder' at Dundee

A Dundee official has labelled trouble within Dens Park on Boxing Day as ‘seriousdisorder’ and that scenes were ‘a throwback to the 70s’, as Celtic fans fought among themselves inside the stadium’s concourse.

Celtic secured all three points against Dundee thanks to goals for Georgios Samaras and Gary Hooper, but the shock for Dundee came from the visiting support and their booze fuelled behaviour.

Dundee FC operations manager Jim Thomson, said: “There was widespread drunkenness, and I mean widespread, within the Celtic support. We were confiscating drink from supporters in the concourse leading to the turnstiles. They were clearly drunk coming in and we had a decision to make on whether we let them in and we took the decision that we had to let them in because we would have had other consequences if we didn’t.

“Once in, they were abusing our turnstile staff, our canteen staff and even fighting among themselves, and I mean serious disorder within the concourse. All in all it was just not a nice experience. In the 20 years I’ve been organising games here at Dens Park I have never seen anything like that – it was a throwback to the 70s that we are all probably ashamed of.

“I would say that the scheduling of the fixture didn’t help. Nonetheless, I don’t want to make light of it, but I can have a skinful but I’m not going to go and behave like people did last night. It’s just not acceptable.”

According to further reports drunken Celtic fans urinated where they stood and trashed the away end toilets.

Thomson claimed that he stopped counting those fans ejected when he got to 40 in number, but one erroneous report claimed over 70 Celtic fans were involved in running battles, a Scotzine source put the number at around 30 Celtic fans, with the trouble starting before kick off as fans were being penned in towards the turnstiles outside the away end – far from the running battles that the newspaper paints a scene of.

One Celtic supporter reportedly blocked the way of a number of younger fans, creating a flash point in which the fan refusing to move was pushed back and through the turnstiles, when the three fans were through they were targeted by the fan and members of a Celtic supporters club, which escalated in
Fuelled by booze other so-called fans got involved as Tayside Police along with Stewards, according to our sources ‘lost control of the situation and let the fans fight among themselves’.

A Tayside Police spokesperson confirmed that five supporters had been arrested, four Celtic supporters and one Dundee fan, she said: “There was a level of disturbance at the match, primarily within the Celtic section of the stadium. Five people are to be reported to the procurator fiscal for alleged football-related offences. Officers responded to the incidents quickly and took appropriate action.”
Meanwhile, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has apologised to Dundee, he said: “We are very proud that Celtic supporters enjoy such a great reputation and it is therefore extremely disappointing that the behaviour of a small minority has tarnished the good name of the club and our fans in this way.

“Clearly, we apologise to Dundee Football Club – we will work with them and look into any incident which is raised and if we can identify any individuals involved, we will obviously take the strongest possible action.

“We have received a number of complaints today from our own supporters about the conduct of this minority – we cannot allow our supporters’ enjoyment of our matches to be affected in this way and we will not sit and allow the club’s reputation to be damaged. Our supporters over many years have earned such a fantastic reputation for positively supporting the club, we will not allow this to be taken from them. It is time for all our true supporters who care about Celtic to unite with the club and find a solution to this problem.”

The police, authorities and even the broadcaster showing the game on Boxing Day night have been criticised by some quarters for allowing the game to go ahead at 7.30pm, which gave fans plenty of time to get boozed up.

Thomson added: “The game should never have kicked off at 7.30pm on Boxing Day. It was a disaster waiting to happen. It gave the supporters too much time to get drunk. It’s just a joke to play a game at that time on that day. Everyone knows this time was chosen to fit in with the TV schedule but the atmosphere at the game was just frightening.
“That was meant to be the Celtic v Rangers game as we got Rangers’ place in the SPL. If that had been an Old Firm match do you think it would have been played at that time? I very much doubt it.”
Celtic could face sanctions from the Scottish Premier League over the trouble, if it is noted in the referee’s report. Source: http://www.scotzine.com/2012/12/serious-disorder-at-dundee-match-as-celtic-fans-fight-among-themselves/