Celtic Fans Against Criminalisation Protest at London Road Police Station

Celtic supporters held a well attended and well behaved protest outside of the Police station on London Road on Saturday afternoon ahead of the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts…

Celtic Fans Against Criminalisation Protest Outside Police Station, ahead of Celtic v Hearts match on 29 March 2025..Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Despite the terrible conditions on a wet and windy afternoon in Glasgow, hundreds of supporters turned up to brave the elements to register their opposition to the Police Scotland tactics employed the week before ahead of the Glasgow Derby match against theRangers at Celtic were hundreds of Celtic supporters were kettled and prevented from attending the match by Police Scotland operating special provisions which are an affront to freedom within a democratic society.

Celtic Fans Against Criminalisation Protest Outside Police Station, ahead of Celtic v Hearts match on 29 March 2025..Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Continued on the next page…

The day before the match, after being inundated by supporters’ complaints Celtic FC released the following statement on the incident…

Peter Lawwell, Chairman of Celtic, Dermot Desmond, Non-Executive Director of Celtic, and Michael Nicholson, CEO of Celtic, are seen in attendance prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Supporters’ Update

Further to our recent statement, the Club has engaged independent safety and event consultants to review concerns voiced to the club on events involving Celtic supporters, Celtic Supporters’ Clubs and buses, and groups, which took place away from Celtic Park on 16th March 2025.

Our primary concern will always be for the safety of our supporters. Within Celtic Park we work closely with Police Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and other public authorities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our own fans, and all other visitors to the stadium.

Celtic Fans Against Criminalisation Protest Outside Police Station, ahead of Celtic v Hearts match on 29 March 2025..Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Continued on the next page…

Supporters’ Update (continued)

While events away from Celtic Park are not in any way managed by the Club, and we play no role in policing outside of our stadium, we recognise that many supporters have turned to the Club to voice their concerns regarding the events of 16th March.

All supporters should feel safe when attending – and travelling to – football matches. Just as supporters should behave safely and responsibly both inside and outside of football stadia, so too they should be confident at all times that they themselves will be treated fairly.

Maintaining this confidence is vital, so it is therefore important that any concerns brought to our attention on this front are in turn shared and afforded due consideration. It is important to continue to seek positive working relationships. (Continued below).

Celtic Fans Against Criminalisation Protest Outside Police Station, ahead of Celtic v Hearts match on 29 March 2025..Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Continued on the next page…

Supporters’ Update (continued)

The Club is therefore engaging in discussions with Celtic supporters, supporters’ associations, clubs and groups, and Police Scotland, to understand these events and the circumstances in which they took place.

To inform this process, we have engaged independent safety and event consultants Fairhurst to collate and review the feedback on supporter experiences received by the Club. Fairhurst will also offer an opportunity for others who were present, and who have not already provided feedback on the events, to do so.

Anyone wishing to provide feedback should contact Fairhurst by email at the following email address:

160325feedback@fairhurst.co.uk

Through a structured process we will then share these findings with Police Scotland, to assist in; understanding of the experience of those present at the events of 16th March; in identifying any questions to be answered; and highlighting any lessons which may be learned.

Celtic has a strong record of working positively with our supporters on safety matters over the years. We will continue to do so, as part of a process of ongoing dialogue. We will also work as required with the footballing authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that our supporters – and those of other teams – can enjoy football safely and responsibly.

Celtic Fans Against Criminalisation Protest at Celtic v Hearts match on 29 March 2025..Photograph by North Curve Celtic

Celtic Fans Against Criminalisation Protest Outside Police Station, ahead of Celtic v Hearts match on 29 March 2025..Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.