The Green Brigade, a prominent ultras group that occupies a standing section at Celtic Park, has announced plans to boycott Celtic's non-Premiership matches in a significant escalation of tensions between sections of the supporter base and the club's leadership.
The group issued a statement expressing deep frustration with the club's direction, declaring:
"The disconnect between those who control Celtic and those who support it has never felt greater."The ultras further stated:
"Under the influence of Dermot Desmond, a dark cloud lingers over our club creating an increasingly unsustainable environment."
Desmond, who serves as the club's largest shareholder, became the focus of supporter action during the Alfred Dunhill Links golf tournament held at St Andrews. The incident prompted a swift response from Celtic's board.
What action has Celtic taken?
The club responded to the St Andrews protest by threatening an "indefinitely ban" on anyone "established to be involved in planning, facilitating or participating" in the incident. In a further move that has intensified the conflict, Celtic announced it would no longer recognise the Celtic Fans Collective as an official representative body for supporter engagement.
The Celtic Fans Collective functions as a coalition bringing together multiple supporter groups, including the Green Brigade itself, to provide a unified voice in discussions with club management.
How have the ultras responded?
The Green Brigade characterised the club's decision as another escalation in what they view as an ongoing pattern of hostility toward organised supporters. They described the club's statement as "irrational" and labelled it
"another attack on supporters"that demonstrates
"the utter disdain they have for our group."
Notably, the ultras group denied any involvement in the St Andrews protest, stating their members had no role in planning or executing the demonstration. However, they expressed solidarity with those responsible, commending those behind the action despite disassociating themselves from direct participation.
What is the broader context?
The boycott announcement represents a significant moment in the ongoing friction between Celtic's supporter base and its board. The Green Brigade's decision to withdraw from non-Premiership fixtures—which include Scottish Cup and League Cup matches—signals their willingness to take concrete action to register their discontent with the club's management structure and decision-making processes.
