Collateral Damage

 

Sitting in the incessant autumn rain watching Celtic struggle but ultimately prevail over a well drilled St Mirren side this week, it was obvious that something was missing. The drum beat of the Green Brigade, like traffic noise to city dwellers, is often only noticed when it stops. Celtic, in their wisdom, had decided to suspend the season tickets of some 250 of the ultras and their absence was noticed. Celtic’s reasoning was that there had been…‘increasingly serious escalation in unacceptable behaviours and non-compliance with applicable regulations.’ Celtic’s communique also spoke of the use of pyrotechnics, rushing the turnstiles at Motherwell, illegally gained access before the Lazio match, unauthorised banners and aggressive behaviour towards stewards.

The banner in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks which read 'Victory to the Resistance'  (Hamas translates as 'Islamic resistance') would have been viewed with particular alarm by the board as it seemed to lend, at least tacit support, for what had occurred. It was certainly viewed that way in parts of the British media and many with no love for Celtic. In truth, it was an ill thought out display which may have nudged the Celtic board to act.

The club had asked the group not to organise any display which referenced the ongoing conflict in Palestine-Israel.  Given the ongoing brutality of the Israeli assault on Gaza, that was always likely to fall on deaf ears. The group responded to the litany of charges laid before it by stating…  

 

‘It is undeniable that the sanctions imposed against those affiliated with the Green Brigade are as a result of the group's unapologetic solidarity with Palestine. The sanctions applied, most notably collective bans, are evidently unfair; bereft of policy, process and communications with individuals wrongfully being punished before receiving any allegation, any evidence, nor right of defence. We categorically deny sinister and defamatory allegations of 'breaking in and intimidating, threatening and abusive behaviour towards staff'."

 

It is clear that the fan group sees Celtic’s actions as being linked to their solidarity with the Palestinian people. The club can expect a fine from UEFA for the widespread display of Palestinian flags at the match with Atletico Madrid. The occupants of section 111 were not alone in displaying such flags as they were seen all around the stadium. There was some organisation to at least part of this as fans approaching the ground were offered free A3 sized printed flags. The large flags seen across the north stand were carried into place with some coordination before kick-off. That being said, there was clearly a significant number of Celtic supporters who were not from area 111 who wanted to demonstrate their solidarity and sympathy with the Palestinian people. It therefore seemed odd that Celtic made no effort to sanction anyone but those registered as members of the Green Brigade. There is little natural justice in punishing the innocent just to get at those they consider guilty.

 

It's an emotive and controversial issue and the debates online about the  political stance of the Green Brigade and the response of the club are rancorous and often bitter. No one in their right mind supports the slaughter of innocent civilians in any conflict and  what occurred in Israel on October the 7^th is as unacceptable as the onslaught now occurring in Gaza. The difference is of course the response of world leaders to the Israeli bombardment. Many leaders in the west parrot the line that Israel has the right to defend itself, and it has, but they are mealy mouthed when it is pointed out that almost nine thousand people have died in Gaza so far, the vast majority of them innocent civilians. The heart-breaking images we see online of children slaughtered and then described as collateral damage are deeply disturbing. Yet in pursuit of their big geo-political game, the powerful western countries are muted in their condemnation. It is that hypocrisy which rankles with many.

 

We have seen governments and even sporting organisations condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine yet the same governments and sporting organisations have nothing to say as Israel annexes territory, demolishes houses, builds settlements on occupied territory and practices virtual apartheid, all of it against international law. The media in the west are transparently biased in their reporting of the Russia/Ukraine and Israel/Palestine conflicts. Palestinian advocates are regularly asked on tv if they condemn Hamas atrocities and one responded, ‘do you ever ask Israeli spokesmen if they condemn Israeli atrocities?’ The presenter was lost for words. There is a huge propaganda war going on and the media has, for the most part, thrown its weight behind Israel. They have powerful friends who talk of self-defence and freedom whilst ignoring Israel’s many breaches of international law.  We live in cynical and cruel times.

 

Using football as a political platform is nothing new. From the England side giving the Nazi salute in a match in Hitler’s Germany in the 1930s, to those Celtic supporters who demonstrated their solidarity with the long-suffering people of Palestine, it has always gone on. From field guns being fired and soldiers abseiling down stands at Ibrox, to James MacLean refusing to wear a poppy, we have always seen political expression in stadiums. Those Celtic supporters who flew Palestinian flags would tell you they are demonstrating solidarity with an oppressed people in the face of horrendous assault on them. Each individual must decide where they stand on the great issues of the day. A friend said to me this week that silence in the face of genocide is complicity.

 

I could weep at the images I’ve seen coming out of Gaza this past few weeks. I could also weep for the innocent Israelis murdered on October seventh. Our leaders, who should be forcing a resolution to this century old tragedy, are hopelessly compromised and biased. They have been shown up for their utter hypocrisy and that is why, love it or loath it, many ordinary people express their own opinions on the streets and in the football stadiums. We wring our hands and argue about the appropriateness of political expression at sporting events. Meanwhile the innocents die and any hope of justice seemingly dies with them.

Are we to condemn future generations to replaying this tragedy? A good man said a long time ago, 'blessed are the peacemakers.' Where oh where are they today?