By Paul Nicholson
November 29 – UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Celtic after fans unveiled banners depicting IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands and Scottish warrior William Wallace at their Champions League game against Milan. But the Green Brigade fan group who were responsible for the banners have now escalated the issue raising questions about their rights to the freedom of political expression.
The UEFA disciplinary case is under the auspices of the banners being of a “non sporting nature”, but the fan group is claiming that they have the right of political expression – that the banners were not offensive.
It could become an increasingly hot area for UEFA who could be deemed to be breaking the basic human right of freedom of expression (and being in favour of political oppression) if they rule against the club. The case will be ruled on at the December 11 meeting of the UEFA Control and Disciplinary committee.
The Green Brigade fan group have previously been warned by the club that political chants and banners would not be accepted and that would only likely result in further UEFA charges – UEFA have previously fined Celtic for a banner displayed in a UEFA Europa League match against Udinese in 2011.
The Green Brigade have responded to the criticism of the club and defended their right to political expression by widening the political context of the issue with a statement that criticises the Scottish Government for legislation that it says makes “expressions of Irish identity, culture and politics” illegal.
The scrutiny on the outcome of the UEFA decision will be intense as it comes at a time when the Scots are preparing for a referendum on the separation of the country from the UK. UEFA may have inadvertently stepped into a much wider political debate on the heritage and future of the Scottish nation and all that that involves.
“Given that it is Celtic fans who are filling up prison cells and court rooms because of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, and the manner in which it criminalises legitimate expression of political opinion, this display could not have been more relevant in the current context,” the statement said.
“The fans are the lifeblood of any football club and to deem fan issues as irrelevant is frankly disgraceful.
“While we understand and sympathise fully with fans who may disagree with the timing of [Tuesday night’s] display we are honest enough to admit that the timing was of no coincidence. This act has been in place for over 18 months yet the club have offered next to no support to the fans on this matter.
“As a group, we were told that Celtic Football Club would publicly support the fans on this issue.
“Regrettably, this has not transpired in spite of the fact that public pressure could have had a telling impact on the justice committee as they discussed the possibility of an early review of the act.”
The club had earlier attacked the fan group saying that the actions of the minority had to stop and that the bulk of fans did not want their protests in the stadium. Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell emphasised that the club is a non-political organisation focussed on football. But on the terraces and in the stands the distinction has never been that simple.
“There have now been a number of UEFA charges made against the club during the last three years, relating to behaviour, displays and pyrotechnics – it cannot go on any further,” said Lawwell in a statement.
“Let’s be very clear. Following the actions of a small minority, these charges are made against the club. It is the reputation of Celtic, our great club and our great fans which is damaged, while others carry on indulging in such behaviour.
“Our supporters do not want this any more. We are a non-political organisation, a top football club in fantastic shape, aiming to play its part as a major football club on the European stage.
“Regardless of the political views people hold, football stadia, whether it is Celtic Park or anywhere else, should not be used to promote these. This is something which all football authorities, including UEFA, have stressed for some time and something well known by all supporters.
“The club don’t want it, our manager and our team don’t want it, our supporters don’t want it and the football authorities don’t want it – it has to stop.”
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