"Our supporters do not want this any more. We are a non-political organisation"

:smiley-laughing002:

I think he does.

It's actually a good point he makes, admittedly.

 

I also stood beside my Dad and many other Celtic supporters from our bus at a few warrant sales back in the day.

Maybe we should make up songs for the bedroom tax just so Sween can sleep easier about the rebs being sung.

 

But that happened before many on here were even born (I was just a kid). That is the last political objection that Celtic fans took part in en masse that wasn't to do with IRA songs?

As I said before, people singing songs doesn't really trouble me. But our 'politics' really amounts to wanting to sing rebel songs, right? Where was our defence of history and tradition regarding all the things I mentioned above? Where are our politics if we exclude conflict in Ireland? I just don't see it

 

That was my point, you have no idea what people get up to away from the match, it's ludicrous to think every issue can be covered in 90 minutes.

Go have a look at the GB website and see the good work they do away from the game, the anti fascist marches, political rallies and the fantastic community work they do.

I feel I'm not telling you anything you don't already know though Sween...

 

Thats fantastic :smiley-laughing002:

 

Seeing as Labour openly endorsed what was happening in Ireland right throughout the troubles, the murder of civilians, raiding of homes, etc. I can see why people wouldn't have been to open in bringing British politics to Celtic.

 

I'm not saying people who go to watch Celtic aren't genuinely political. I'm sure thousands are. And I'm not at all bashing republican or left wing politics. What I am saying is that people who no doubt get heavily involved in various socialist movements seem to be happy to do that without flying the flag at Celtic park. When we have their sort of collective politics arguments it only ever comes down to IRA songs. Every single time. And every time people pull of our defence of history and culture and identity, but that is never used to defend any of the above issues.

Anyway, Ive got to actually do some work. Have a good day

 

In one way, i don't really see why it's a big deal to UEFA, if some fans have a banner at a football game. At the same time, it's not something that brings any change politically and is maybe a bit irrelevant. It's out dated and is in the past.

In public spaces, you have the right to protest, inside Celtic Park is not a public space.

In some countries, football fans have lots of power within a club. Places like Poland, the Ukraine, Italy. They all have a right wing element that come across as a bit scary.

Lawell asks for things not to happen, then the more people are gonna want to do them. I'm sure some of the support think, hey look at us our banner's crazy and it becomes a hobby for some people.

Then we end up with highlighting some things that are actually quite depressing.

People want to go and watch Celtic play football, Celtic are not a political party, so why don't the people who want to protest go and do it in George Square? Because nobody will give a * and think they're nutters.

I'm sorry, but for neutral Celtic fans, fans born and raised in Scotland. Fans who don't care for politics or religion, this stuff is just sad and depressing. So i fail to see how this adds to the entertainment of going to watch a football match in a happy environment.

It's a choice between how you want the brand of Celtic to look. Branded the best fans in the world, or showing signs of developing a right wing section within the support.

 

So you're quite happy to see Celtic fans criminalised and think it's sad and depressing that other Celtic fans would stick up for them and rally against it?

Am I in the * twilight zone here!?

 

Jesus * Christ

 

"I'm sorry, but for neutral Celtic fans, fans born and raised in Scotland. Fans who don't care for politics or religion, this stuff is just sad and depressing. So i fail to see how this adds to the entertainment of going to watch a football match in a happy environment. "



For me anyway. For others, obviously not, but this whole "with us or against us" arguing between fans is a nonsense IMO. I fully respect people who feel strongly about the situation, but as someone who has no genuine reason to give a tuppenny * as per the quote above, all I ask is for the similar respect to be afforded as opposed to faux disgust.

Won't be a popular view, but in the same way I won't castigate others who disagree with me, I genuinely don't get the outrage against people who simply don't have a genuine reason to support IRA sing songs etc.

But anyway, that's a deviation from fans against criminalisation anyway.....just the larger issue for me anyway.

Each to their own is, I suppose, my thought on the matter.

 

I am actually very surprised with the result I thought it would be far more "No" , on this issue. Yes I am aware there be "undercover" dead fans but even allowing for that, there is a lot who are either not getting what the banner was about or genuinely do want it changed. This is something I would be sad about (although i have had various debates about it with a "few" on here) as there is obviously a place for it at OUR club.
Something else I have noticed and am disappointed in, is when supporters are taking it on themselves to tell other supporters that they would not be missed etc that is also sad.
I have said and while it is obvious the way to defeat/force change is through our MSP's.
Oh and if anyone want's to be sarcastic about that, all I would ask is what have you done and feel free to offer an opinion, that may help OUR fans, as opposed to being a smart *.

 

A left-leaning, antifascist group is a right wing section of the support? Aye, alright then. :smiley-laughing002:

You seem to have missed the point of the banner as well. It doesn't really have anything to do with Irish politics. The banner was intended to highlight the hypocrisy of the Offensive Behaviour at Football & Threatening Communications Act. It's entirely relevant to Celtic.

As for the brand of Celtic, politics has been ingrained in our support since 1888, yet we still have a great reputation, one of the best in the world in fact. Our reputation will be non-existent if we were squeaky clean & apolitical. Personally, I don't think I'd want to be part of a club whose supporters didn't have a social conscience. Personally, I'd rather follow a club with a unique identity, a soul, like St Pauli than a club driven by money & how others perceive them like Cardiff City. You depoliticise our support, what goes next? My bets would be on the Irish heritage of the club à la Hibernian. Then what? The colour of the jersey? The name of the club? You only have to look at Cardiff City & Hull City to see that it doesn't take long for a club to change unrecognisably.

Why do you mention religion?

 

What the actual * are you talking about? Right wing elements ffs!

Am I * getting into this again today, because bar a few decent posters on the other side of this issue, this place is full of absolute rockets who I think forgot to take their medication.

I need a * break.

 

Good question, I guess I would say that it is a completely different scenario. Firstly you're talking about sports clubs on the Island of Ireland, and that many of those names are people who were active members of the GAA, an association founded to promote Irish culture and identity.
However in the cold light of day, despite what Joe Brolly thinks I think it needs to be phased out. The north has come a long way and naming grounds after militant Republicans does not really promote reconciliation.

 

Also, "go protest in George Square but you wont because nobody will give a * and think you are all nutters"

What a nice way to talk about your fellow supporters who are trying to highlight a glaring injustice in this * country.

This place is giving me the boak lately. That's my last word on this for now.

 

I think every Celtic fan should be concerned about the criminalisation of our support. It genuinely baffles me that people in here don't give two * about it, it's a * disgusting attitude to have and our club wouldn't have survived this long if it had always been like that.

The soul of the club is attempting to be removed just now, Lawwell is basically telling us, sit down, shut up, give us money and I'll put on a dreadful show for you. He's good with money and has good business sense but he should get his nose the * out of supporters business if he's not willing to put his neck on the line for the lifeblood of the club.

 

Aye, ignoring the fact they have protested in George Square as well

 

So i misunderstood the banner, or the point of the banner. But it's not exactly obvious that the banner is to highlight the Offensive Behaviour at Football & Threatening Communications Act.

My worry is that we go down the road of having an "ultra" section of the support.

The law is generally there to abuse the moral code if you like. I'm quite up for people having their say, but they should maybe make it a bit more obvious exactly what they are protesting against.

 

I don't know how anyone can't find that obvious, what did you think the point was?