Celtic’s feud with Green Brigade fan group rages on as the club BLOCK early entry to their Champions League home tie against Atletico Madrid – amid Palestine flag protest plans

• Glasgow giants have escalated tensions with the Green Brigade with the ban 
• Celtic were fined by UEFA for trouble in games with Feyenoord and Motherwell 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Celtic have denied members of the supporter’s group the Green Brigade early entry to Celtic Park before their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid. 

The move comes amid rising tensions between the group and the club following trouble at recent away fixtures against Feyenoord and Motherwell. 

The Glasgow giants have sought to clamp down on further issues after they were fined £23,000 by UEFA for their fans behaviour in Rotterdam and Fir Park last month.

According to The Daily Record, the Green Brigade have been barred from entering the stadium ahead of Wednesday’s game due to threatening behaviour to club employees’. 

But the supporter’s group have hit back and claimed the clubs move is simply an attempt to stop them from showing their support for Palenstine as the conflict with Isreal continues. 

Green Brigade have been barred from entering the stadium ahead of Champions League tie

Brendan Rodgers’ side welcome Spanish side Atletico Madrid to Celtic Park on Wednesday 

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The supporters group defied the club’s ban on Palenstine flags during their 4-1 Premiership win over Hearts at Tynecastle

‘Currently, hundreds of fans are suspended from away matches due to an association with the Green Brigade; despite receiving no correspondence, no allegations, nor any detail regarding any investigatory process.’ A statement from the Green Brigade read. 

‘The suspension was communicated to the Green Brigade on Friday afternoon ahead of the Hearts match on Sunday afternoon despite alleged concerns dating back four weeks.

‘In addition to this, the Green Brigade face further restrictions at Celtic Park designed to impede on our support and use of our standard matchday materials. We are determined to overcome these and provide full backing for the team as always.

‘Despite disingenuous claims, we have absolutely no doubt that these sanctions are motivated by a desire to quash political expression within the Celtic support, specifically in relation to Palestine at this time. In spite of this, and any further obstruction, we once again encourage fans to courageously fly the flag for Palestine.’

The group displayed flags and banners in support of Palenstine during their weekend clash with Hearts, defying the ban imposed by the club. 

Celtic said players and coaching staff from both teams would wear black armbands ‘as a show of respect and support for all those affected by the conflict’.

But the club said banners, flags and symbols relating to the Israel-Hamas war ‘should not be displayed at Celtic Park at this time’.

Celtic were sanctioned by UEFA in 2016 for a similar display in a Champions League qualifying match against Isreal outfit Hapoel Beer Sheva. 

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