Glasgow Derby Aftermath – Civil liberty violations, Celtic Park trashed and a hateful songbook | OneFootball

The Green Brigade has issued a fierce statement condemning what they describe as a “premeditated attack” on football fans by Police Scotland after several Celtic supporters were blocked from entering the ground for Sunday’s Glasgow Derby in Glasgow’s east end…

Police on horseback are seen outside the stadium prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Rangers FC at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Police Scotland stated on Sunday evening that 90 supporters were denied entry to theRangers match after refusing to comply with security searches. According to authorities, most individuals in the group were reported to the procurator fiscal. Officers defended their actions, insisting that the searches were ‘undertaken proportionately’ and within the special powers granted to them to stop fans they felt were under ‘reasonable suspicion’ of criminal activity.

A premeditated attack on football supporters by Police Scotland

However, the North Curve ultras group has hit back with a strongly worded statement, saying: “Yesterday, there was a premeditated attack on football supporters by Police Scotland. We believe their actions were unlawful and we are currently taking legal advice. The actions of the police should serve as a stark warning to all football supporters in Scotland and anyone who values civil liberties.”

“At 10am, the Green Brigade and other Celtic supporters congregated at the Celtic Social Club which is a routine practice. At this time, there was a considerable police presence. At no point was there any attempt from police officers to relay any information about concerns or expectations of how fans should move to the stadium. Similarly, there was no attempt to share information in advance through mutual channels (Celtic Football Club) as is often the case.”

‘Around 200 people were kettled on the road’

“At 10.45am, we attempted to depart for the stadium. At this point, around 200 people were kettled on the road. We were told that we were being held until all away supporters had entered the stadium and would then be moved along. After around one hour, the police informed us that we had been detained under section 60 of the public order act. The reason given was that people were concealing their identity despite the fact that most people were not wearing masks. When this was pointed out, the concern moved to hats, hoods and sunglasses. We offered to remove these items, but this wasn’t accepted.”

The Green Brigade allege that they were then instructed to adhere to a series of ‘draconian and unnecessary’ conditions in order to be released from the police containment, including:

– Submit to police detention, being held by two officers by the arms, taken from the kettle and into a further police corden.

– Submit to a full body search (including a refusal to privacy for females)

– Give full personal details

– Show ID to verify personal details

– Have hats, sunglasses, scarves and snoods confiscated- Have all of the above actions filmed, including id documents and clothing

Detained in the kettle for almost five hours, with no access to food, water or toilets, and missed the entire match

The statement continues: “Understandably, we were reluctant to comply with these draconian and unnecessary measures and were therefore detained in the kettle for almost five hours, with no access to food, water or toilets, and missed the entire match. In the end, zero arrests were made despite the huge sums of public money wasted on the operation. We have since learned through a police scotland press release that every person has been reported to the procurator fiscal despite this not being informed to us at the time.”

“While we are clearly angry at what happened, we are more concerned about a pattern of repression against supporters which is increasingly worsening across scottish football. There is a concerted effort between police, clubs, football authorities and others who seek to control the game to abolish supporter groups who do not conform to their agendas or values.”

“It is no coincidence that this police operation followed sanctions by Celtic PLC against the same people in the same week. Likewise, it is no coincidence that Celtic PLC fills its safety and security department with ex-police. In recent weeks, the SPFL – with approval of clubs introduced unprecedented collective punishment sanctions against supporters.”

“Scottish football has a committed, passionate, creative and overwhelmingly positive supporters’ culture. Instead of embracing this, it is routinely targeted often leading to mainly young males being unnecessarily and harshly criminalised.”

A detailed view of a Police officer wearing a face covering prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic  and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025.. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Strangely, yesterday’s incident was exactly 12 years since the infamous ‘Gallowgate kettle’ which sparked mass demonstrations and ignited the successful fans against criminalisation campaign.”

‘We are calling for a formal review of fan engagement in Scottish football’

“In light of recent events, we are calling for a formal review of fan engagement in Scottish football with a view to implementing a formal framework for fan engagement at both a central and a club level. It is only through proper two-way engagement with supporters that supporter concerns can be efficiently managed.”

“We will begin consulting and coordinating with all interested supporters in Scotland on how to achieve this.”

Police are seen lining up outside the stadium prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“To be clear, our concerns are not limited to practices often associated with ultras but all and any supporter issues. All supporters have the right to be heard. It is only through a formal framework that this can be achieved and ultimately lead to supporters’ common wishes being respected and interests protected.”

Celtic SLO, John Paul Taylor, spent considerable time at the incident

“We would like it noted that the Celtic SLO, John Paul Taylor, spent considerable time at the incident attempting to liaise and help supporters and has given a report of what happened to Michael Nicholson, CEO. We await comment from Michael Nicholson on both the club’s prior knowledge of this police operation and its concern for supporters’ welfare.”

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)

The Celtic Board responds

Last night Celtic issued a short statement concerning this disgraceful incident and other matters that happened inside the stadium where some Celtic supporters were assaulted by theRangers player after their winning goal was scored.

The Celtic FC statement reads as follows:

After the match there was clear and visible evidence of damage within the stadium with hundreds of seats broken within the away end and reports of the toilets at the away end once again being badly vandalised by Scotland’s Shame.

The hateful, racists, sectarian and fascist song book from theRangers support was a disgrace

At Celtic Park on Sunday their hateful, racists, sectarian and fascist song book was an absolute disgrace all afternoon and not a word has been said or written about it by anyone in the media, although they are somewhat understaffed at the moment as most of their pundits were on theRangers bench.

Barry Ferguson, Interim Manager of theRangers, celebrates with backroom staff after Mohamed Diomande scored the team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

theRangers fans gesture during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic should issue a full refund to supporters affected and deduct the cost from the Police bill

One last point to mention, the Celtic supporters who were denied access to match due to the disgraceful actions of Police Scotland should have their ticket money returned by Celtic FC who can presumably deduct the same amount from any bill that they will receive for policing services rendered.

A return of away fans is perhaps not the right call after all. Celtic should review this at the end of the season and perhaps say thanks but no thanks. What do you think?

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. Photo: The Celtic Star.

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