The powers that be have ruled that a European Champions League football match at Windsor Park on the same day as the Orange marches on the 12th of July would be a massive security risk and trouble would be unavoidable. So much for the marketing of the newly branded Orangefest as a family event with all visitors welcome.
Now after several days of speculation the potential match between Linfield and Celtic has been rescheduled for two days later – a solution seemingly having been reached. However, a few hours after the announcement was made, Celtic issued an official statement saying that no tickets will be made available for their supporters.
It must be baffling for outside observers. We have one of the greatest club sides in the world from Britain’s second city citing “the safety and security” of their fans as the reason they will not bring supporters to a match in Belfast against a club with a following who, by and large, maintain their loyalties lie with Britain and the British.
Celtic supporters travel worldwide to follow the legendary Hoops – indeed their globetrotting exploits have earned them an international reputation second to none. In the last few years fans have travelled to Kazakhstan, Israel, Ukraine, Turkey, Holland, Norway, Italy, England, Spain and Slovenia to name a few, picking up various awards along the way for good behavior and fair play.
Some trips have been more controversial than others. When Celtic played the Israeli team Hapoel Be’er Sheva in Glasgow less than a year ago the home fans unfurled pro-Palestinian banners and the Israelis were met with a veritable sea of Palestinian flags protesting at the continued illegal occupation of Palestine.
Numerous threats were made on social media and the Israeli authorities issued a public warning against repeating the demonstration at the return match in Tel Aviv. Israeli right wing organisations threatened violence at the return leg.
Nevertheless several hundred Celtic supporters travelled to Israel and there was never any question of Celtic refusing the tickets that would allow the Hoops fans to attend. The return match passed off without incident.
So how can it be that Celtic fans are safe to travel to far-flung, even war torn, corners of the world without incident, yet a short hop over the water is regarded as potentially more dangerous?
I wonder when Celtic Football Club last felt obliged to refuse tickets for their supporters on the basis that the club felt the supporters’ safety was at risk? Maybe someone from the football “anorak” community could advise?
The match has now been moved from the potential powderkeg dates of the 11th or 12th of July to the 14th and yet Celtic still do not want their supporters travelling to Windsor Park. Surely this cannot be interpreted as anything other than a massive vote of no confidence in the Irish Football Association (IFA), Linfield FC and not least the security forces and their ability – or willingness – to ensure the safety of the travelling Celtic fans?
In recent years both the IFA and Linfield have been working overtime to convince people that the sectarianism associated with soccer in Belfast is a thing of the past. This is particularly true of efforts made to make Irish nationalists and republicans feel welcome at Windsor Park on so-called international nights. Just how big a setback this champions league fiasco is remains to be seen but there can be no doubt that a great amount of damage has been done to the IFAs credibility.
Similarly, all the good cross-party work done over the last two decades showcasing Belfast as a post-conflict city, forward thinking and inclusive has been undone in one fell swoop. The bigots are being allowed to run the show. It is a bad day for everyone in Belfast not least the real football fans from both teams who would have loved to see their teams play one another for the first time in their history.
Only four years ago Celtic played Belfast team Cliftonville in the Champions league. Both legs went off without incident and without any major policing issues being raised. Why should Celtic playing another Belfast team be any different? It is not a disingenuous question – it is a highly relevant one. There is a clear reluctance in the media to confront the elephant in the room – indeed there is an almost passive acceptance that loyalist sectarianism and extremism still rule the roost down Windsor Park way.
The Glasgow based team founded by the Irish in Scotland have a massive following in Belfast and it would have been a historic first time encounter for local sports fans. This nasty turn of events is a reminder of how far we still have to go in healing a divided society. Kowtowing to sectarianism and extremism is most definitely not the way to go.
It is also worth asking how UEFA will react to this week’s developments? Or rather how they should react? Why should a team and a football association that cannot guarantee the safety of visiting supporters be permitted to participate in international competition?
This latest debacle is a massive embarrassment for Linfield football club, the IFA, the PSNI and not least the city of Belfast itself. Particularly as it comes in the same week that the flying of loyalist paramilitary flags returned to centre stage in local politics and it was revealed that taxpayers money was secretly being used to store wooden pallets for loyalist bonfires.
This sporting calamity is about much more than a football match. It is about tackling the uncomfortable issues and barefaced sectarianism that still plague Belfast 20 years after the Good Friday Agreement which promised parity of esteem and a shared future based on mutual respect.
Local politicians, the IFA and the PSNI seem to be shrugging their collective shoulders in acceptance of this shameful state of affairs and the loss of what should have been a premier sporting occasion. They need to act. The so-called authorities need to be held accountable. Belfast does not need another fifty years of pandering to loyalist extremism and sectarianism whether it be in sport or elsewhere in society. Linfield versus Celtic at Windsor Park should have been a huge gala event and a tribute to our common future – not a throwback to our troubled past.
I have to agree with Eddie. Since the draw was made the local medi have spoken about the prospect of violence as if it is a given, it is almost as if the violence around Orange Fester is part of the whole colourful culture.
Maybe it is and those of us that have lived here a long time have just become inured to it, careful about where we go if we don’t leave the statelet altogether for the Festerval
Nail on the head. Where is the business community. Why are they so silent? How much potential revenue loss with fans not being safe to travel and enjoy Belfast bars, restaurants and hotels? No media scrutiny. Shameful!
Who knew an article which is as well articulated as this, would have so many false and inaccurate statements.
If you are going to write such a biased story at least get some of your facts correct.
Fans of Celtic did receive 1 accolade for ‘international sporting behavior’… not ‘many’. This award was given approx. 20 years ago. So it may surprise you to find out, in the past 6 years Celtic have been summoned to Geneva (UEFA Headquarters) on no fewer than 10 times resulting in almost £1million worth of fines. Number 11 is almost certain expulsion.
Teams from all over Ireland and further a field are welcome to Windsor Park without any or minimum hassle. Celtic should and would be no different.
You said Celtic fans where able to travel all over Europe with no trouble, yet they couldn’t go to London without invading the playing area. Or a supporter getting onto the pitch at Celtic Park and strike AC Milan keeper. Also Celtic let their fans travel to a war torn country in Israel where the IDF issued threats against Celtic fans travelling, not mentioning fans safety not being guaranteed.
The strangest issue which everyone just not just yourself. There are thousands of Celtic fans who live in Northern Ireland who are missing out on this opportunity because not of safety fears, but of fears that Celtic fans will cause sanction number 11….
I admit I find it strange discussing such an important topic with a person hiding behind anonymity. Your mis-portrayal of Celtic’s disciplinary record is exactly that – a misportrayal and neither was that the focus of this article.
Is that a team who in their last 10 euro games have conceded 36 goals and scored only one, Id say there maybe worse than the present Glentoran team..
There’s another team involved and Linfield need to get past them, I’m sure they are aware of the fact that everyone is talking about Celtic V Linfield as if they didn’t exist – I’m gna make a prediction, there will be no match because the blues will get beat.
Celtics decision is at best an ignorant decision and I have to say that this article also emphasises the ignorance that people have about Belfast and Linfield FC.
Cliftonville which has a largely catholic/nationalist/republican fan base and a sizeable support come to and from Windsor Park at least twice a year without any issues whatsoever.
Why would Celtic be any different?
I think the real truth is Celtic don’t have faith in the behavior of their own fans but naturally they are not going to use that as a reason not to take their allocation.
So why people like you want to pull Linfield through the dirt (Linfield have done absolutely nothing wrong here, yet they are being lambasted by all and sundry), maybe there are other reasons to why Celtic have decided not to take their allocation.
They say ignorance is bliss…….You must be very happy in your blissful bubble.
I would suggest you re-read my article again you clearlt didn’t understand it the first time.
That’s quite a way to dress up Peter Lawwells decision ma chara. Facts are facts. Dundee, Motherwell, Newcastle, Lincoln, London, Amsterdam are just a few instances of the thuggery of the Celtic support, buoyed on by the Clubs promotion of the Green Brigade and their quasi political policy. Celtic may have won an award nearly 2 decades ago, but that was before the inception of the aforementioned Green Brigade.
Celtic fans heading to Belfast glorifying the IRA wouldn’t go down very well given the locals have been subjected to their ethnic cleansing and baby killing campaign for nigh 40 years. Peter understands this, and is trying to save face. It’s 2017 and a club can’t even trust it’s own fan Base not to engage in violence and terrorist glorifying.
Cliftonville can come to Windsor Park with no issues, as can Glentoran so it’s laughable Celtic fans can’t be accommodated. Peter knows that they wouldn’t be able to sweep and deflect hence the decision.
Anyway, good luck for the tie hopefully Andy Waterworth makes the difference in the 2 games.
Once again the authorities here, bow to the threat of Unionist violence and to the knowledge that the PSNI cannot always be relied upon to face up to such violence. Pathetic.
unionist violence?
I think Celtic are understandably concerned about the inevitable fine from UEFA that would result if their fans attended and engaged in sectarian/racist singing and chanting. By not accepting their ticket allocation this means there will be no fine, and any sectarian singing will be entirely the responsibility of Linfield.
Oh right so how do you think it will go in Glasgow where Celtic will have almost 60,000 fans?
Put perfectly into words Jude
Thank you, Df – but note it’s Eddie who’s put it into words, not me…
Quite frankly the decision by Celtic FC is shocking.
Both clubs have a duty to help improve the unity that sport in general, and soccer in particular, should provide.
Cliftonville, a largely republican club, travel regularly to Windsor Park without incident.
The stadium on international nights is a mixed environment – especially among very young fans.
I would suggest this decision is more to do with Celtics inability to secure the behaviour of their own fans, after their recent misdemeanours on their travels and at home.
Disappointed – that as a neutral, I can’t enjoy the atmosphere this game could have provided
“Cliftonville, a largely republican club” – what ? Care to explain what you mean?
“travel regularly to Windsor Park without incident.” inaccurate. Cliftonville supporters attacked in 2014 at Windsor Park. http://belfastmediagroup.com/cliftonville-fans-attacked-after-weekend-win-at-windsor-park/
“The stadium on international nights is a mixed environment.” Mixed? In what sense?
“I would suggest this decision is more to do with Celtics inability to secure the behaviour of their own fans.” Your suggestion is utter rubbish and with absolutely with no foundation. The decision was taken in conjunction with the PSNI who could not guarantee the safety of all Celtic fans. Surely a reasonable decision by Celtic to protect their fans in a higher sensitive area at a very highly sensitive time.
Happy to explain.
Cliftonville support base would come from strongly republican areas of Belfast, and indeed other parts of NI.
Trouble at linfield / cliftonville matches is minimal – yes, there have been incidents, however families on both sides are able to attend the fixtures safely.
NI have a mixed support. I myself travel with a catholic work colleague and his son. A number of young players from my sons soccer team (mixed academy team) that attend catholic schools attend NI matches.
Interesting point that the PSNI said they could not guarantee safety – I wish they would say that officially. Albeit, if I travel to Glasgow or Manchester to a soccer match I don’t expect the local police to gaurantee my safety for my entire trip, as a lot of that time is dependant on my decisions – I do however expect safe access to and from the stadium, which I have no doubt the PSNI should provide as is the case with other visiting fans such as teams from ROI etc.
🙂
The PSNI stated they hadn’t the resources to police the tie on the 11th, 12th or 13th of July, that’s why all parties decided on the 14th. There is absolutely no justification for Celtic not taking tickets and are clearly using this ‘safety of the fans’ issue as an excuse rather than admit they simply don’t trust their fans to behave in Belfast, leaving them open to even more sanctions or fines.
Why has no-one stated how the likes of Cork City, Derry City, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Drogheda and St Pats Athletic have all attended Windsor in recent years, without any hassle, Derry in particular, bringing significant numbers helping to create a brilliant atmosphere.
Windsor Park is ideally situated to allow opposing fans to enter the ground from opposite ends of the stadium, the away fans enter the stadium from a purely commercial area existing of shops and car showrooms with direct access from the M1 motorway.
IF the game even happens, I’d be interested to hear the specifics of this safety threat the Celtic board are protecting their fans from, because from where I’m sitting, it looks like they’re using it as an excuse purely to avoid the fixture as they don’t trust their own fans. A terrible snub, particularly to the many Celtic fans who travel week in, week out from all over Ireland, North and South to see their team in European competition without having to even board a ferry.
Well like I said in the article – surely this cannot be interpreted as anything other than a massive vote of no confidence in the Irish Football Association (IFA), Linfield FC and not least the security forces and their ability – or willingness – to ensure the safety of the travelling Celtic fans?
If the psni do not have the resources to police the game and have said so to Celtic, then it seems that Celtic have probably taken the right decision in relation to supporters safety. However the question is WHY do the police believe that they cannot keep the peace at a football match? The obvious answer is that orangeism and anti catholic hate is at its vile worst on the 11 and 12 July. After all if you know your history it was when the catholics were mastered by The Protestant People and slaughtered. Orange fest remembering catholic degradation is what it is and we all from Belfast know that no matter what spin the Orange try to put on it.
As a Celtic supporter from derry who attends games in Glasgow I’m discussed that Celtic didn’t take there allocation of tickets…Celtic have let there fans travel to sum of the worst war torn country’s in the world but can’t let them travel to Belfast…like many other Celtic fans I’m very unhappy at the club for treating the supporters like this.
Do you seriously believe that the club is the problem here? Did you read the article?
What about the game v the Republic of Ireland in the early nineties when Billy Bingham was running up and down the line inciting the fans to make trouble
More to do with Celtic having 10 fines in the last 6 years from UEFA.
Absolutely no doubt about this.
More to do about what orangeism gets up to on the 11 and 12. Get real. We all know after decades of marches, kick the pope bands, protests, drunks pissing on the streets and in churches what the 12 is about. So bit of honesty and a reality check is needed from our true blue loyalist fellow country men. Call it as it is and atleast be honest with yourselves.
What the f**k has that to do with a football match
Might be the reason for why PSNI wants the game postponed and Celtic have decided not to take the tickets
Police are claiming too much going to police the game fully, personally I think the PSNI are not fit for purpose, Celtic not taking the tickets is more to do with them being fined again, even the their own fans have stated this.
Poor Eddie Whyte couldn’t leave his own hatred and bigotry out of the whole match thing he had to take a swipe at the poor old Jews and Christians( a veritable sea of Palestinian flags protesting at the continued illegal occupation of Palestine.)(Israel has been a member of the United Nations since 11 May 1949,)Now didn’t your friends the British cobble together a lot of Arab countries with their royal houses and fabulous beyond belief treasuries full of loot from oil and slavery including modern day slavery, google is your friend Eddie. Now until people like you get it through your thick skulls Israel is going nowhere and has to be dealt with as an equal, you are just contributing to the poverty experienced by the poor Palestinians. Bet your nice and comfortable Eddie unlike the millions of poor Palestinians that are being held back by the terrorists like Hamas with their squirreled away hundreds of millions (wheres Arafat’s billions ask the wife and daughter they live in luxury in Switzerland). Those sleek plump well groomed multi millionaire leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah lying up in luxury in two faced Arab countries like Qatar give the money to the people to build houses not fucking tunnels build a power station if possible build schools that don,t teach infants to murder Jews and Christians, Then Eddie you can help people like us who vote for Sinn Feinn to work towards the day we can have the march and the match together without any animosity. Think you can do that Eddie and please if you have any influence in Palestine or with their friends Iran or other Muslim country’s in the middle east, ask them to stop hanging gays cutting peoples heads of cutting of limbs ask them to give women equal rights and to stop jailing people who speak their mind freely. Think about how lucky you are to live in the west And if their was only two countries in the world left to live in i would choose Israel for my family over Palestine Iran Saudi Qatar or any of the rest of them. Their now that’s my tuppence worth look forward to the day we can all live together and help produce conversations about equality.(you see Eddie i have a fair number of girls in my family and i want them to be treated as equals as do i myself)
Oh dear that was really quite a maniacal rant to put it politely. Is Stephen Kelly your real name? I am just curious because most right wing pro-Zionist fundamentalists prefer to hide behind false names.
How dare you call me a maniacal ranter and a Zionist what ever that is. I just love peace and i think calm words are better then bombs and I am quite proud of my name thank you very much and Jude even has my email address. I have never hidden in my life sonny i have never been afraid to stand up and speak my mind. Methinks you are the fundamentalist Eddie i find that most posts and articles i read on Israel are by very angry kind of unstable gloating people considering they are mostly backing active terrorist organisations that’s a fair judgement. Part of the proof being my coreligionists buying up all these flags to annoy men who wish them no harm in the wide world but then i don’t really have a high opinion of football fans. Eddie no thank you its just my own thoughts there you go. when i see that word Zionist used oh god i think Ken Livingstone and his early morning broom handle yuk and he is the sort that would attack me like you did for having my own thoughts and ideas on a subject. I just believe its time in the middle east all Jews Christians and the Muslims that will listen need to talk, to stop killing and the plump sleek terrorist leaders and kings and princes created by the British need to sit down and talk with the Jewish and christian people. The Jewish people are not going anywhere you know and like i say if i had a choice of only one country to live in, in the middle east it would be Israel. At least i could get a pint and speak my mind lol. Any way you attacked and insulted me activist 101 i suppose but what did i say that was not true.
Maybe maniacal was a bit unfair but when you deliberately choose to focus on a side issue in the article and then impose your viewpoint on the Palestinian. issue whilst freely admitting that you don’t know what a Zionist is then I would maintain the charge of a rant. Like you, I am entitled to my opinion and you don’t even have to like it. Fair play to you though for having an opinion and putting your name to it Stephen.
you are the ranter Eddie and a mixer i am 67 born and raised in north east of Ireland and i know all about the nightmare of the twelfth of July and the fact that we only have so many PSNI. Do you want the army back on the streets Eddie is that it, would that suit your agenda mixer, sounds like it to me . I was onto Sinn Feinn the other day speaking on behalf of a group of nineteen crocodiles telling them that at our usual little fogey gathering we had decided that our little group who live in South Belfast agreed that we would not vote at the next Storment election if they went back under a Mickie mouse agreement. whilst speaking to the well mannered non mixing young gentleman from Sinn Feinn the police came up about the flags and he said it was a police matter and that they had to leave it with the PSNI. So there Eddie obviously the sensible thing to do is move the date . But seeing your views on the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists and no comment on the poor children being taught how to murder Jews and Christians oh dear. what about a Zionist Eddie what about it. What about the children being loaded up with suicide vests by the sleek well groomed multi millionaire terrorist leaders what about the poor Jews being knifed by poor misled children while the sleek well groomed multi millionaire terrorist leaders and their children live in luxury. Zionist Zionist keep walking around repeating that to yourself Eddie you know what it means your in good company so did Hitler and the mad mullahs good man . Well me and my children know that an ordinary Jew trying to live their ordinary lives are just like us. So listen to the PSNI like Sinn Feinn do and your mixing will stop and go pull some weeds in an old persons garden like we do Eddie do wee bits of good you will feel much better, i promise you and like i say in the middle east the only country i would live in is Israel because as i say our wee group could meet argue stay friends have a few pints go home wake up with a sore head but at least our heads would still be attached to our bodies. Don’t forget now Eddie keep repeating me and Hitler know what a Zionist is .Poor me i just know what Jews are help with dialogue mixer and if you have nothing helpful to add like i say go pick weeds for instance.
No more name-calling, Eddie or Stephen. Stick to the argument or don’t contribute…
My sincerest apologies if i offended you Jude.
There has been no name-calling on my part Jude.
I doubt there’ll be almost 60,000 fans at the second leg, but I don’t think it’s realistic to expect Celtic to ban their own fans from the home leg. They will just have to accept the risk of a UEFA fine for that match.
It is the responsibility neither of the IFA nor of Linfield to ensure the safety of travelling Celtic fans. The police were content for the game to proceed on 14th July.
Celtic has chosen not to take its allocation of tickets. That’s not the fault of the police.
It’s the fans that are the problem. Numerous UEFA fines mean that the club would rather have no fans at the match.
Maybe Celtic Football Club didn’t want their fans to go over there and sing songs about the IRA and mudering protestants? Remember it was only last season these same fans had hanging effigies of protestants on display at their stadium.
Which songs, specifically, are about killing Protestants?
)Awkward silence to follow…….
I’m sure there is a song with the words…. Soon they’ll be no protestants at all?
Since you’re a huge celt I’m sure you’ll know the name of it, awkward silence.
Well said Jim.Some people should look in before looking out !
Collins writes some utter bullshit. Wait till the return match in Glasgow…The cowardly Celtic fans will have their IRAoke in full swing….scum
Who’s Collins?
I’ve asked this question once already with no answer!
Who’s Collins?, Johnston Smith
I’ve no idea who Eddie Whyte is, but I’m confident he knows little about the Irish league.
Let’s stick to FACTS, the PSNI have said they have the resources to police the match on 14th July, Celtic FC decided not to accept any tickets if this match goes ahead.
So any “vote of no confidence in Windsor Park” has been made by people in suits who know nothing about Windsor Park or the logistics of Away fans entry to it.
The tone of this article praising Celtic fans as angels tells you all you need to know, it’s a biased article that ignores the truth! That is a common theme for all articles on Jude’s blog.
Well I have no idea who William Johnston is either isn’t the internet wonderful? If you are a fan of Irish League football you should be worried about the fact that this latest debacle has set us back years – which is actually the main point of the article.
The main point of the article seemed to be an attack on Linfield, the IFA, the police and unionists and Protestants generally. Even though only Celtic are to blame for the de facto ban on their supporters, whose reputation is rather less white than you’ve tried to paint.
No it hasn’t Eddie, because with regard to an integrated community with good relationships and respect, we haven’t moved even a day forward.
I am worried, what most Irish League fans will be doing though is highlighting that Celtic FCs decision is totally ridiculous and more than likely a different agenda is at play.
Can the anti Celtic commentators please explain why the timing of the fixture had to be moved to the 14. at all? Lets hear their comments on why the PSNI did not believe that they could safely police a football game. What is so special with the 11 and 12 of July that the police force of NI insist that the game has to be postponed for Security reasons? A bit of honesty and fact based assessment of what happens on the 11,12 and in many cases the violence that carries on afterwards, would help any genuine debate on what happens in Belfast on the 12 week.
The PSNI like any other police force have to use resources for all events. They just can’t take officers away from traditional events for a football match.
“Traditional events”
The annual display of Protestant triumphalism and sectarian bigotry repeated 3 thousand times ..!!
Have you never been in Belfast around 11/12 July?
A heavy police presence will still be required to protect the Celtic players at Windsor, I’m not sure Linfield’s Stewarts will be up for the job. Remember Belfast Celtic.
You do know that a Celtic team from West Belfast has played at Windsor Park over the last 20 years with no trouble and you’re bringing a game up from 1948, get a grip…
So there’s never been any trouble between Linfield and Donegal Celtic?
Well, ya live and learn.
Trouble at one game, way back in 1990, they’ve been back to the shrine and we’ve been over to theirs, with no trouble since. I and other Linfield fans have been in their social club on match days, with no trouble what so ever…
No it won’t.
History of previous 12′ s shows that the PSNI are needed for this Orange Party. History also shows that there presence on the streets is required for quite a few days after the 11 and 12 , depending on how everyone behaves themselves. The simple fact is that the neither Linfield, the IFA or the PSNI can provide the required Security around Windsor park for travelling and local Celtic supporters on the 12 week. We from Belfast all know why so don’t be burying Your heads in the sand.
The PSNI have probably made the correct decision and so has Celtic Football Club unfortunately.
Seamus if you are from Belfast you know Away fans enter Windsor from Boucher retail area. It’s the safest ground in NI for segregation inside and outside.
Yes William but accomadation is in the city centre and I would imagine that the support from both sides would like to enjoy the city. Unless all Celtic supporters are banned from the centre. But I don’t think that would make the issue any less contentious. There is also the issue of travelling support arriving in Belfast before they even get to the stadium. If the 12 passed off peacefully then maybe there would be no issue but who can guarantee that?
Did Celtic fans stay in caravans in the Waterworks when they played Cliftonville in the champions league?!
No, they stayed in city centre hotels!! Other fans from around Northern Ireland travelled to the match on the day. This was all days after serious trouble at Ardoyne/Twaddell which is 1 mile from Cliftonville ground. It all passed off peacefully.
A bit different William. The game was on the 17. and between 2 teams that would probably have been socialising together before the game. That there was minimum of violence directed to Celtic was good news compared to earlier visits of Celtic to Belfast (including cliftonville).
You should also check that in the aftermath of the 12. in 2013, Loyalists had their hands full attacking police for over 5 days. It was in fact one of the worst 12’s for violence seen in Belfast.
That the police were the subject of the violence, was probably a godsend for Celtic and Cliftonville.
So are you retracting your comment that Celtic fans can’t stay in the city centre?
The fact that this will more than likely be a peaceful 12th means the PSNI will have enough resources to ensure this potential match can pass peacefully.
Unfortunately Celtic FC backed by sections of media and uneducated bloggers have ruined what would have been a great occasion. In the process they have put in danger those Celtic fans who will still try to attend the match.
Ah yes…the old let’s-blame-everyone-else-for-the-problem argument.
Seems you don’t like being challenged with facts and reasonable arguments.
What was your reason for writing what you did?
Are you a Celtic fan trying to help CFC board by legitimising their decision?
Or are you just a bigot taking the opportunity to have a swipe at Linfield/Windsor Park?
Or maybe you’re both
Why I wrote the article is very clear to anyone who reads the article with an open mind. As for the name-calling? It makes you childish and not worthy of any further reply.
I didn’t name call, I asked a question. I did read it with an open mind and have posted my conclusions
Is that what you did Eddie with your bollocks that you’ve written, but then your mate Jude thinks that being in the BB is the same as being in a paramilitary group, do you think that as well, the bitterness is falling out of ya both…..
Well if you read the telegraph report before the game, then it was advised that Celtic supporters should not wear their shirts in the city centre. You r a brave man to predict that there wont be trouble after the 12. As a Belfast man I am old and wise enough to ignore bullshit. Not sure why Celtic fans who do go would be in danger since your posts have suggested that there aint no problem. It continues to Amaze me, after all these troubled years, that the 12 is considered a safe time for catholics. We will see.
Any Away supporter going into the Home end of any ground in the UK raises the potential for trouble. If you are a football supporter you will know this.
I am a Celtic and football supporter from Belfast and that is why i am commenting on this thread. William, Why not answer in good faith and recognise the opinions and views being made without questioning the contributors validity? Otherwise what is the point of using your time to reply?
As a celtic supporter from north belfast i lay the blame with us not getting tickets on peter liewell hes afraid of another fine from uefa, as some previous comments have said we have been fined regularly by uefa but most of these have been for pryo’s & 1 for a ‘fcuk uefa’ banner i cant recall any for crowd trouble, the psni arent blameless either they are 1 of the most heavily armed police forces in the world with the training to match & also the experience of policing crowd trouble but yet couldnt police a game involving less than 20k with about 3/4 k away fans at the safest & easiest ground to access in the north of ireland all because of our so called marching season, its 2017 & yet the orange order still has this hold over our whole society that major sporting or other events cant be held over the 12th, im sure linfield fans would have liked to have had an away support there i know we the tims would have loved it but the bonfires & parades always come 1st
The game was scheduled for the 11 or 12 by EUFA. The PSNI have stated that they cannot provide security for the game on those dates. They have suggested the 14 as the alternative. Celtic played cliftonville in 2013 on the 17 july amidt the violence caused by an orange march breaking the guidlines of the parades commission ie pissing on a catholic church and playing their sectarian rant outside. Ever heard the saying once bitten twice shy? This is a Belfast problem so face up to it. Psni and Celtic football club have made a security decision. So when the IFA take action about singing the Billy Boys at windsor park, then home venue at the most sectarian time in Ireland, well then they can have some credibility as to whether they can host European football teams.
Tam, i am 52 and grew up in Belfast with the full package. So we belfast lads can come with a bit of sarcastic comment once in a while. Thats what keeps us all sane and u probably know that.
My club in Dublin hosted Linfield in a friendly in 1991. The fans were 99.99999% well behaved , apart from one idiot with a can of aerosol paint who graffitied the back of the stand- but that was easily fixed. We had to provide extra security that day… not because of the Linfield fans themselves, but rather to protect them from idiot fans of other Dublin clubs, and possible so called Celtic Fans from Dublin who may have had the idea to have a go at them. As it was the game passed off without incident.
I have met Linfield fans on the continent back in 2015 when both my team and their had away games in Europe in the same country. I found them to be decent football fans in the main and we wished each other well in our respective fixtures. Indeed some of our fans came to the aid of one fan who was getting a bit of hassle from the police for not understanding the ticket validation process in Bratislava on a tram. He got fined €100 and we offered to recompense him for that. He politely declined that offer.But thanked us for the gesture.
Unfortunately such a fixture is affected by the timing as much as anything else, and there is no doubt that it could go ahead at a different time of year largely without any incident.
This isn’t 1984 when Rangers fans went on the rampage in Dublin against Bohemians or even 1979 when Dundalk and Linfield’s second leg game had to be played in Holland because what happened in Oriel Park. Tensions may still be high, but we aren’t back in those dark times still. Some good came out of the 1979 incidents as both teams set up the Dunfield project to further cross community understanding through sport and that project ran for many years. Linfield as a club has been much more progressive in this area than Rangers in Glasgow have.
You wont believe this im sure
But my bro was involved in a dunfield bus- run and some boys started the sash.
Im sure you wont believe that but i believed him
Poor Eddie. Even the Green Brigade are blaming Celtic and not Linfield nor the police.
https://twitter.com/sportingawayday/status/879667119746666496
Eddie’s bigoted tirade is exposed.
“Bigoted tirade”? Really? The match has now been moved from the potential powderkeg dates of the 11th or 12th of July to the 14th and yet Celtic still do not want their supporters travelling to Windsor Park. I quote: “Surely this cannot be interpreted as anything other than a massive vote of no confidence in the Irish Football Association (IFA), Linfield FC and not least the security forces and their ability – or willingness – to ensure the safety of the travelling Celtic fans?” So where is the bigotry?
You didn’t read the Green Brigade statement, did you, Eddie?
We Celts have read it but that is the Green Brigades opinion. If you have followed this discussion, Tam, then you will know that this Celtic supporter has a different opinion. The game is postponed to the 14 because the Police and the Clubs do not think it is safe on the planned dates. When you going to realise that this is the relevant fact. The matches will og as scheduled if Linfield do not qualify. Do you see the difference?
“Bigoted tirade”? Really? The match has now been moved from the potential powderkeg dates of the 11th or 12th of July to the 14th and yet Celtic still do not want their supporters travelling to Windsor Park. I quote: “Surely this cannot be interpreted as anything other than a massive vote of no confidence in the Irish Football Association (IFA), Linfield FC and not least the security forces and their ability – or willingness – to ensure the safety of the travelling Celtic fans?” So where is the bigotry?
Again lets face the facts. Celtic last travelled to Belfast on the 17. July 2013 to play Cliftonville. For over 10 days there was major rioting in Belfast when Loyalists were attacking police because the Orange march could not take their traditional route home. Once Bitten twice shy is the saying. What Club With responsibiliy for its supporters and knowing the background of sectarian strife caused at this time ie. The Glorious 12. , would take that chance again? Celtic supporters, as Linfield, have a wide range of political standpoints. Celtic like Linfield, know that they have supporters who are on the Extremes of Irish politics and especially in Belfast around the 12.. That the game had to be postponed by the PSNI and both football Clubs shows that they understand the situation.This is a so called holiday time in Belfast and in any normal city, such a game would have been seen as a HighPoint for the holiday. Eddies article Points out that the rest of Europe will find it strange that a game is postponed because the police cannot provide Security on the original dates. They are the facts and I think all concerned have taken the correct decision, however unfortunate it is for supporters who are only interested in watching a football game.
That is a valid point and you keep banging on about it, but somehow I dont think Celtic will be refusing the tickets if Linfield get chinned tonight.by La Fiorita. Beachballs will be dusted Down and party time in San Marino. Maybe Linfield can give the Bhoys a few tips on accomadation
Anyway good Luck tonight but celtic are in the next round and a San Mariono trip solves the issue.
That is a valid point and you keep banging on about it, but somehow I dont think Celtic will be refusing the tickets if Linfield get chinned tonight.by La Fiorita. Beachballs will be dusted Down and party time in San Marino. 🙂 Maybe Linfield can give the Bhoys a few tips on accomadation 🙂
Anyway good Luck tonight but celtic are in the next round and a San Mariono trip solves the issue.
What bit of the article do you not like Mr Bue?