Celtic’s internal ban on the ultras group ‘Green Brigade’ has been lifted and will see them back at Celtic Park on Saturday, a club statement confirms.
The group were banned initially for six matches in November following an alleged incident inside Celtic Park at home to Falkirk.
However, this was extended in December due to further ‘safety incidents’.
With Celtic’s post-split dates confirmed, they go into the final pre-split fixture at home to St. Mirren with a full house to ramp up their bid of retaining the title.
The statement reads: “The Club is pleased to confirm that a route has been found to lift the suspension of the Green Brigade with effect from Saturday’s game against St Mirren.
On March 27th, at a meeting of Glasgow City Council Safety Advisory Group, the Club again addressed the suspension on the Green Brigade. The SAG confirmed that it did not object to the suspension being lifted, subject to three conditions being satisfied.
These were that all applicable policies will be adhered to, including season ticket terms and conditions; agreement that members will comply with the safety and security operations; recognition that a match-by-match report will be submitted to the Safety Advisory Group, for as long as they deem it necessary.
We communicated this to the Green Brigade and asked for their unconditional acceptance. They have today responded positively by accepting these conditions, as outlined.”
Celtic interim chairman, Brian Wilson, said: “I am pleased we have reached this point where suspensions can be lifted with the agreement of Glasgow City Council Safety Advisory Group on terms which apply to supporters throughout the stadium.
“On that basis, a full and united Celtic Park can get behind the team at this crucial point in the season.”
It is doubtful that this patches up the disconnect between the ultras group and the club’s hierarchy, in a season which many fans even outside of the Green Brigade have demonstrated against the Celtic board members, notably seen in the 4-1 Europa League home defeat to Vfb Stuttgart with a tennis ball protest.
After St. Mirren, Celtic have Falkirk, Rangers and a final day clash with Hearts all at Parkhead.
