Celtic won’t be punished for the Green Brigades “H” block banner , which they displayed at the last Aberdeen game, as the SPFL have concluded that the club did everything they could to prevent it.
Peter Lawwell is set to appeal.
A spokesman for the league said: “The SPFL has concluded its investigation into the appearance of a large ‘H’ banner on 23 November 2013 during Celtic’s home match against Aberdeen.
“SPFL regulations forbid ‘words or conduct or displaying any writing or other thing which indicates support for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation or group proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000’.
“The SPFL found that the banner was offensive and breached the SPFL’s rules. However, Celtic FC were able to demonstrate that they had taken all reasonably practicable steps to prevent the banner being displayed at Celtic Park.
“As a result, it was determined that there was no evidence of any breach of the SPFL’s rules by Celtic FC.
“The SPFL wishes to reiterate, for the avoidance of doubt, that any banners indicating support for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation or group proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000 or are otherwise offensive, are not welcome at SPFL grounds.”
It was a thought provoking banner, and yes, it does ask the question about whether someone is a terrorist or a freedom fighter, but this is a football match, and therefore it was out of place.
The Green Brigade claimed they were protesting about fans being criminalised under new legislation, but probably should have worded it along the lines of “Fans shouldn’t be criminalised for singing “, whilst unimaginative would have clarified the message.
I was over in the south stand corner at the time, and I have to be honest , I hadn’t a clue what it was about until someone told me, though I did think it was a strange place to have a landing spot for an air ambulance, if it was needed.
Celtic’s Fraser Forster has won this week’s Marca ‘El Oscar’ award for his achievement in marking 11 clean sheets for Celtic against St Mirren. The Spanish sport newspaper give the award weekly to someone in football who has made an outstanding contribution in some way to their team, and Forster is the man this time around.
Nacho Novo claims to have won the award on no fewer than thirty one occasions, but when we asked Marca for verification, they said “Who ? ”
The big fellow has made a name for himself over there, and no doubt there will be one or two bids from LaLiga when he decides to go. But that won’t be for a while yet, he seems to like it in Glasgow.
Seriously, what can Spain offer him ?
Can’t be that good, theres hardly anyone there.
Still, it has to be better than Newcastle, from whence he came. One of their websites has offered praise for the big mans achievements;
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has stated that no bids were made for want away former Newcastle goalkeeper Fraser Forster during the January transfer window.
It’s well known that Forster was hoping to get out of the much criticised Scottish League in January so he could have a better chance of making the England World Cup squad.
Forster’s League title medals
Lennon is still expecting bids to come in for the England international during the summer, but has been buoyed by the fact nothing concrete came in January, which ultimately didn’t unsettle Forster.
Forster was linked with a move away from Parkhead, and he made it known he wants to return to the English league, but suddenly he seems out of favour.
The “One Club Scottish League” is the joke of the football world, and Forster knows a title medal with Celticmay as well be made of chocolate.
And you thought Rangers fans were bitter. The blog continues;
Forster began his career in 2006 with Newcastle United, but didn’t make a first team appearance during his time at St. James’ Park.
But he made it known: “One day I would love to return to Newcastle.”
Presumably he left something behind. Obscurity, for instance.
Mo Bangura has found a new club. He’s joined second division Turkish side Istanbul BB, a side I’m sure I played against in a local five a side tournament many years ago as a kid. Still, good luck to him, and at least we won’t come up against him in Europe again, and its not like we have a habit of going to Turkey to play friendlies.
Derk Boerrigter has had a lot of bad luck with injuries, and to be fair, deserves a break. He was at the Hard Rock cafe in Glasgow with his girlfriend, and its not difficult to understand why he may get the odd strain or two.
Celtic Park looks set to host the League Cup final between Inverness and Aberdeen, and the Dons are in Glasgow this weekend where they will try to end Celtics hopes of a domestic double. Former dons boss Alex Smith was wheeled out to add his thoughts;
“It’s a wonderful game in prospect at Parkhead. There might have been times when the outcome looked a formality but that’s not the case now.
“Celtic have been on a fantastic run and an incredible sequence of clean sheets. But that has to come to an end at some point.
“Aberdeen will go there with no pressure. They have a cup final to look forward to in March against Inverness and can go to Parkhead almost like they have nothing to lose.
“On the other hand Celtic fans will see it that a double is the least they should be achieving at the moment.
“So the pressure is perhaps on them, but they are used to being the favourites and having their fans demanding they win.
“Aberdeen will go there full of confidence though. There is no doubt a psychological barrier has been lifted.
“It’s a weight off the club’s shoulders because the longer the absence from a final, the harder it became.
“They have a hugely difficult tie at Parkhead but they can win and if they get past Celtic then there’s no reason they can’t go on and make it a cup double.
“What an achievement that would be.”
Smith added that he reckoned Dons defenders Willie Miller and Alec MacLeish were as good as any other pairing in the league, and tipped winger Gordon Strachan to break Celtics run of clean sheets.
You may or may not have noticed, but the Winter Olympics begin this week over in Russia, and Second Rangers are hotly tipped to win a medal After all, no-one has descended a slippery slope quicker than this lot.
Their form going into the competition is nothing short of spectacular;
Will we be celebrating come mid feb ? Lets hope so.
Sorry the Diary is a wee bit late this morning, I had a driving test to take. and I failed because the examiner kept making stupid and childish brum noises. Next time I’ll ask for one who’s not from Birmingham.
Danny McGrain and Ally Dawson were the two men flanking ex Celtic Park and Radio Clyde dj Tiger Tim Stevens, whose real name, according to Desi, was actually Jimmy McGrory. Which surprises me.
What are these two so happy about ?
They’ve fulfilled the dream of legendary indie band Half man Half Biscuit by getting their hand on Dukla Pargue away kits?
Drawing 0-0 in Prague to book Celtic’s place in the 1967 European Cup Final.
Jinky is celebrating in that picture because he has just found his oar. Tommy Gemmell is also celebrating the fact that Jinky has found his oar and he doesn’t have to carry him about anymore like a bad-tempered child on a rainy day in the toon.
So Celtic escaped a fine because there was nothing they could realistically do about the banner? Pity that didn’t apply to UEFA as well. I agree with Ralph though, time and a place for these type of things. Football, whit’s that?
Big Tams ‘oar’ must be some size if Jimmy can sit on it!
Get back tae yer chat show Mr Carr.
Ally Dawson!!! I thought it was Smeato.
Or Leo Sayer! Where is wiggy Smeato these days anyway? ‘Fighting’ bad guys all over the world and implementing justice or is he still writing spazzy newspaper columns along the lines of “See that Elle McPherson she’s a pure darlin’ by ra way. Ah pure fancy her an’ aw that. Know whit ah mean”, etc.
Had to laugh at the Newcastle comment about medals being from chocolate.
Like they would know what medals are made from…..
Newcastle are easily the biggest irrelevance in the EPL. for the last time YOU ARE NOT A BIG CLUB. I absoltely hat that team – we should never agree to paly them in a friendly again.
And Dirk , get yourself a new tailor- did you get that jacket from teh set of Zoolander ?
I gather he had that on against Stmiren and this is the reason Stokes gave for not seeing him …5 yards away screaming “look Anthony I am looking at an empty Net you only need to give me a little pass old bean”.
Or somethin like that?
So, if we are confident that Sevco are heading for administration jst before next wages day and we already know that the SFA and as yet undisclosed others knew of the administration of Rangers four months in advance then what of now?
Who’s in the cleek?
I didn’t even realize Boerrigter was in that picture …
Re Boerrigter.Going by his awful cameo appearance on
Sunday.His girlfriend should take his place,at least it would
give us something nice to look at.
Not wanting to be controversial.With the PC brigade firing on
here.Big Jock said, ” Football without the fans is nothing. ”
In terms of atmosphere,like Sunday,I say ” Celtic Park
without the Green Brigade is nothing. ”
Give peace a chance.He who is without sin….
I say a standing area for ALL next season !!
Big Jock’s views on airing chants about the ‘troubles’ in the 6 counties at Celtic Park are also widely known too. In terms of a bit of balance why don’t you quote them as well?
And just who is this PC brigade you keep banging on about?
I suspect he means the greetin face arseholes who slide on here to have a go at some section of the support any chance they get.
Marlybhoy,
Well said,greetin arseholes,indeed
Just like you seem to have done with that post there. Wee bit hypocritical? Ya pie.
YOU !!
Very mature the pair of you. Nothing like a nice mature debate. Might as well join in. Pair of fecking muppets.
We don’t do mature debate on here,Frank, per se. But if people are gonnae talk shite then they’re gonnae be told.
I made a very valid point today at 2:14pm and nobody took me up on it. I’ve done it repeatedly over the past two years and nobody’s up for it. So don’t geez the you’ll no get a jobe wae that kind of attitude faither bollox!
I agree with Frank.
On Jock Stein Quotes this is one of my favourites:
“We do have the greatest fans in the world but I’ve never seen a fan score a goal.”
Jock Stein
Good. It was actually you we were talking about, specifically you.
I shall treat that comment with the contempt it deserves.
Ok Marky. Let’s use your logic. YOU are talking shite and have to be told. Tell me specifically where I was talking the shite you mention.
No politics at the football, for a start. Where do you draw the line, Frank? No at work or in the street or jst no never? Or maybe you’re wan o’ these dudes that only talks aboot it when he’s giein’ permission. By the Board (Mandela), or the boss, or the polis.
By the by, I wisnae huving a go at you when Holy Sea made his original point! The shite I mentioned that you identified had hee haw tae dae wae you but you jst battered in there like you do. And before this does get infantile and seein’ as you’re the mhan wae the mature debate badge oan, then who do you think’s in the cleek from the point I made at 2:14pm?
Markybhoy,
Ignore Frank,he has a strange username,he seems to be stuck
on the letter A, watches too much Sesame Street.He likes to
have a go at his own fans.Sad.For me,every Celtic fan is an
EQUAL.
The turmoil at Ibrokes ( again ) is what we should be laughing
at.
Mark,re your pt,who’s in the cleek ?
Phil Mac,must be in it,as he is flushing info out big time ( some man )
Yes,questions have to be asked of the SFA,and should sevco’s licence not be revoked ?
Loving every minute of it.
Keep the faith.
God Bless.
When it gets your beloved football club into trouble is when I draw the line. It’s not difficult to comprehend is it? When will it finally sink in, when CP is closed due to the amount of times Celtic have been fined/warned? Where will the views be aired then?
I will air my views on things anytime without , thanks for asking, but you’re right to one xtent – this is supposed to be a FOOTBALL site and perhaps we should stick to airing views on just that. Believe me I know my history and have frank viewpoints on Ireland and I feel it is disrespectful to those who have laid their lives on the line to be drunkenly trivialised and worn as a badge in song sung at a football match! Did anyone consider what Bobby Sand’s family might have thought of that banner?
It doesn’t make for pleasant reading for others when mud is slung in what is otherwise a fairly light-hearted blog thanks to Ralph’s comedic musings.
BTW I ain’t got a clue what you are referring to with ‘cleeks’ or anything like that from your original post.
Why is the Australian Prison drama Prisoner Cell Block H deemed offensive? I used too love it, my favourite character was Vinegar Tits Vera.
Jim Kennedy was a fan and he scored. Must be others who were on the terracing before they made it to the field. A bit pedantic, I know, and big Jock was always right in any case.
They’ve renamed st james’ Park the 03 arena. I’ll get my coat.
‘we did by playing football, pure, beutiful inventive football’
The Big Man. ’67
HAIL HAIL N aw that !!!
Ralph
I waited till now in the hope that f***ng moderator guy was asleep. Yes, I copied and pasted and painted and decorated and the B still took me out. All I did was put in a piece about the natural world of Newcastle, the land that time forgot and the neanderthals do the beauty pageants. That is why I need Boerrigter’s jacket when I go there.
H H
a must read Troublesome Fenians http://wp.me/p34hxn-fR
gerrybhoy
Thanks for that. Thoroughly enjoyable read and very thought provoking. Sadly, there seems to a chasm between each side for the moment though the strong arm tactics and implicit guilt of recent months do not seem compatible with the Celtic ethos.
H H
http://furcoatnaenicks.wordpress.com/2014/02/04/troublesome-fenians/
Excellent piece…a must read!
Holy Sea,
Why are you telling lies as well as posting juvenile shite? Tell me when (apart from just there) that I have had a go at my fellow fans? Waiting…..
BTW, I’m sure MArky is a big wnough Bhoy to stick up for himself and doesn’t need a wee bumchum like you to stick his hooter in.
I think the Celtic Board are part of the cleek that helped the SFA break all the rules to keep any manifestation of the manky mob alive. I believe they were willing participants if not the prime architects behind the 5 way agreement. Again, on the eve of Sevcos administration I believe our Board is doing all in it’s power to make sure the double act survives.
Fair points. Should Sevco EVER make it to the SPL then I would hope Celtic fans, and supporters of other clubs (I’m sure the non-bigoted majority at Aberdeen among others would be more than willing) would take part in some sort of boycott of Sevco games. For all it’s worth I certainly will never be attending a game if our paths ever happen to cross. Hopefully that would make the powers that be or an allegedly compliant Celtic board to sit up and take notice.
I’m sure it’s one thing we could all agree on – NO MORE O*D F*RM.
Frank
I genuinely can not understand how any Celtic fan could ever want far less need a new derby game. It sure as hell cannot be for the football as the old ones were mainly crap. I hated the old “derby” and I detest the notion of a new one.
H H
Ralph
I hope you are just busy and there is nothing wrong!!!
H H