CELTIC have been criticised by the Green Brigade for closing the ultra group's section of Celtic Park for two games over 'serious incidents of unsafe behaviour' at the last two competitive matches.
The Club has writing to the 900 season-ticket holders affected by the section's closure for the Champions League qualifier against Rosenborg on Wednesday, July 26 and the league game against Hearts on August 5.
The decision was taken 'amid serious safety concerns and after discussion with the police', following events at the matches against Hearts in May and Linfield on Wednesday, July 19.
Flares were set off in the Green Brigade section during the Hearts game, while a paramilitary-style banner was displayed during the Linfield clash.
The latter incident saw Celtic charged by UEFA and the club have now launched an inquiry, saying: "Any support for a paramilitary or proscribed terrorist organisation has no place at Celtic Park."
In a statement, Celtic said the standing area of the stadium had been working "very well" until the final game of last season against Hearts, when large numbers of flares were smuggled into and set off under banners within the Green Brigade section.
"It was an incredibly irresponsible and co-ordinated action which could have had tragic consequences," they said.
Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said the decision to close the section was not taken lightly, but added: “We hope that the action we are taking prompts recognition by those fans of the damage being done to the Club and that we can resume meaningful engagement with them which would ensure a safe environment within that part of Celtic Park.”
However, the Green Brigade posted a lengthy statement on Twitter, accusing the football club of 'biting the hand that feeds' it.
"We take this opportunity to accept full responsibility for both the pyrotechnics display to celebrate the achievements of the Lisbon Lions at the Hearts match in May and our ‘Brendan’s Undefeated Army’ tifo during the match against Linfield on Wednesday evening," it said.
“While we are disappointed to hear of the impending two match ban that we face, we know that in the sanitised world of Scottish football the actions of an ultra-group like ours may have consequences for our members.
"We do however completely oppose collective punishment and a blanket ban on all fans in our block is disproportionate and unjust therefore we call on the board to revise this decision."
They added: "The Green Brigade exists to support Celtic in a positive manner and we believe that this current confrontation is unnecessary and avoidable.
"We welcome Peter Lawwell's call for dialogue as we have been waiting on his availability for some time.
"One of our first talking points will be the unnecessary and unsafe policing operation carried out during Wednesday night's match [against Linfield], which we believe must be the source of one of UEFA’s charges (blocked stairwells) and could only have been designed to antagonise fans in the area.
"As the evidence below proves, it is bizarre and shameful that the club have not only blamed the fans for this charge but have cited it as a reason for the ban.
"Other pertinent issues to be addressed are the club's response to the biggest cheating scandal to shame Scottish sport; the insulting of the Celtic support over the Linfield away debacle and negligence of the safety of those they knew would travel; and the silence over the racial and sectarian hatred directed at our player of the year and manager.
"Typically, the club are quick to bite the hand that feeds them yet reluctant to unite against common detractions."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has said he hopes this ban will be a 'wake up call' for fans (Picture: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers however has said he hoped this ban would be a 'wake up call'.
“It’s really disappointing that we are talking about stadium safety and paramilitary banners rather than our progress into the next round of Europe," said Rodgers.
“The fans have a responsibility to behave in the stadium and I would urge everyone involved to see the damage this is causing to the club. Hopefully this is a wake-up call.
“The players thrive on the cauldron that the fans create at Celtic Park but there are clearly boundaries that you can’t step over. Everyone knows that pyrotechnics, unacceptable banners and ignoring stewards who are enforcing basic stadium safety measures are simply not on.
"I really hope that the fans take this on board. It would be a real shame if they forced the club to take more permanent action to ensure safety and protect the Club’s standing in European football, which is what we should all be aiming to promote.”
