I spoke to Celtic today about various questions surrounding stewarding and policing in and around the stadium.
The club would not be specific on any particular incident but I got a run down on various instances (alleged assault, vandalism) when Celtic have responded to police requests for identifying information on fans. Celtic said the police can only ask for identifying information if they allege a crime has been committed and Celtic’s safety certificate, allowing them to open the stadium, depends on the club complying with police requests if they allege a crime has been committed.
The club were clear that complying with police requests on such instances is not a matter of choice for Celtic, “It happens, it has always happened, and it happens at every other club in the UK”.
I asked if the club target fans and ask the police to arrest them. I was told this is ludicrous to suggest the police do the bidding of the club (I was also laughed at for making the suggestion). Celtic can revoke tickets and stadium access without recourse to the police.
My conversation happened before anyone at Celtic heard last night’s podcast from the HomeBhoys but I asked specific questions about the red haired fan discussed who was allegedly brandishing a seat and was told no police request had been received in connection to him and that his details had therefore not been passed to the police.
I understand the club have met with various supporters’ groups and clarified these issues, as well as more general stadium safety matters, and that they will issue a statement later today in response to questions asked by the Celtic Trust, who I believe put many of these points in writing.
After speaking to Celtic I spoke to a police officer who is a regular Match Commander at SPL games (not Celtic games) who confirmed clubs would lose their safety certificate if they failed to cooperate with the police.
Having had the chance to put questions to Celtic I asked them give others the same opportunity and to unconditionally meet with any fans’ group with concerns on any of these matters. They assured me they would.
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BMCUW
Haha. I can imagine. Watching it on the telly can be worse than being at the match itself.
My ticket was for the opposite end of the upper stand from where all my pals were. I tried to get in their part of the ground but the wee Boavista steward wasn’t having it. I went in my own turnstile and then just clambered over the press box, camera crews you name it, till i reached my pals at the other end.
You can’t be watching Celtic in a Euro semi final without your pals beside you eh? :)
MWD
Just don’t think it is ‘good form’ to call people liars without being in possession of all the facts …….in my opinion our Board have been quite clear in their support of the GB, and have requested evidence……..I blame the politicians for rushing through ill-conceived laws which our board, the GB, and the Police have to ‘live with’ ……. I also feel some people allow their personal dislikes / agendae to ‘come to the fore’ at every ‘Board bashing’ opportunity….
As far as I am concerned the plight of oldco / sevco is of no concern to CFC, and we should just leave them to implode again …….. Greengo’s rants are ‘comedy value’ only ……. And, as his desperation grows, so does the lunacy of his rants…. He would be delighted if CFC started reacting to him………
kikinthenakas
Passed away in hospital during the night bud, been not well for a while with his breathing.
He phoned me last sunday wishing me a great Paddys day and I was expecting to meet up with him this friday
Dont know any more details.
till later all
Disclosure of personal data is not prohibited by the Data Protection Act where the disclosure is (amongst other things):
-necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the data controller is subject;
-necessary for the administration of justice;
-necessary for the exercise of any functions of the Crown, a Minister or a Govt Dept.
If the police request information about Celtic fans from Celtic and Celtic hold that information then Celtic would be well advised to pass that information to the police. If the police have to raise legal proceedings to recover the information there is every likelihood that Celtic would foot the bill for the legal expenses incurred by the police in doing so.
There is no obligation to disclose personal data in the 1998 Act but a request from the police would be treated seriously by any organisation especially where an arrest has been made or crimnial charges are being contemplated. Celtic could request further information about the nature of the charges but there would be no obligation on the police (as far as I am aware) to give anything other than basic information to Celtic.
However, Celtic do have to start making a better effort to get their message to the fans. Issuing answers to Phil Mac’s questions would be a start. The misinformation and the damaging allegations about the club’s attitude to the fans and the police is potentially more damaging to the club than the Nimmo-Smith decision.
The fans want the Green Brigade at Celtic Park but Celtic are more important than any one group of fans. There are two sides to this story and I don’t feel Celtic are doing a good enough job of getting there side across.
Craiginho
Not to be treated as legal advice CSC (Always leave a disclaimer!)
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
I agree with you. If someone can present the facts the PL is in the wrong then I will be happy to back a campaign to have him removed.
He has done more good for the club than bad and we need to stick together until the facts are revealed instead of sniping at each other.
I back the club 100% on all matters until the truth is out.
Someone is out to get the GB and I don’t believe it is the club. It’s a political minefield. The club have made good solid statements regarding the situation.
LB
fanadpatriot
15:36 on 26 March, 2013
Does it now …!!!!!!! …….. Well it seems to me that CFC have done very well not rising to the ‘bait’ ……… A message to greengo ” Gonnae no mention oor Club in your rants, since it is upsetting some of our fans” ………. He is a goppledanger, and is best left alone to destroy his ambitious / hopeless plan to supplement his pension……LOL
Big shock in WC qualifying as Jordan beat Japan 2-1 to go above Australia in the group standings.
Australia drew 2-2 with Oman earlier this morning. The Socceroos really struggling at the moment.
livibhoy
15:54 on
26 March, 2013
ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON…….and they have ALWAYS been out to destroy Celtic…..they have, instead, destroyed the ‘favoured’ club…….
weeminger there’s a lot not being told by both sides. It’s too important to be dealt with by means of a PR war.
Tractorbhoy I agree with what you say. We must resist and stand up or else be completely trampled upon.
The excesses of the past must not be re-established.
If a member of the GB thinks CFC have passed their information to the Police, under Section 29 of the 1998 Act or otherwise, the GB member has the right as a data subject, to ask the club (the data controller) whether it has processed their data, how and why.
A few subject access requests should shine a light on how the Club has acted in this respect.
Leftclic
Thanks
Boavista ?
I was in Cagliari and had to make do with watching Lazio 0– Porto 0 . A dreadful game where Porto got to practice their diving and feigning injury repertoire . Only good thing was meeting a Lazio supporter who had 2 tickets for a wee game in Seville which he wasn’t going to go to.
Accusation and counter-accusation flying around.
Who is telling the truth and who is being ‘economical’ with the truth?
I do not know.
…but someone does.
Off oot to hospital to visit my old auntie and her new hip.
HH!!
Reading back , regarding the Vigil there is an Easter Vigil Mass in Holy Trinity Church Lockerbie on Saturday evening at 1800 where myself and possibly DBBA will be in attendance
craiginho
15:53 on 26 March, 2013
Those are indeed the facts……….and, personally, I think Celtic need to retain a very low profile on the provocation element, as are the other SPL Clubs ……. We don’t want another occurance of threats etc……..know what I would like to to tell them, but their only listening to greengo, the pied piper, at the moment…..LOL
Weeminger I appreciate you positing alternative scenarios.
I agree with you on the moeny test. In the longer term I fear that the present Celtic would ditch the whole lot of us in favour of a right of centre, middle class, UK-wide, “Irish” following.
HH.
Dunfermline apply to enter administration
Jim Leishman doesn’t seem to understand the difference between a club and a company:
“”It was either liquidation, where you’re done and dusted and you’ve nothing [or] what we’ve done”
Craiginho -15:53 – very good post.
Surely standing areas are the answer to the Police’s unseemly obsession with our behaviour. Standing areas would diminish plod’s power over our standing, lateral movement, safety certificates etc. The terracing couldn’t be like the jungle, the terracing would have to be safe, and suitable for the stewards and Police to identify troublemakers, as well as for the fans to enjoy themselves in. One point though – the Police are very lazy – witness the call -offs of games because of snow ‘outside’ grounds etc. They’d oppose anything that led to them actually having to do a bit of work.
As for the GB, great atmosphere, but it’s as if some of them love playing the martyrs. You aren’t Che and Fidel lads. Nor Uncle Ho or Hugo Chavez. Your misspelled poppy banner was a joke, as are the pseudo catholic / republican views a lot of you hold. If you are interested in Republican politics, can I suggest joining Sinn Fein, the SNP, SWP, SSP. Also, I believe mass is also held every day at most chapels, if being a catholic is important to you. IMO politics and religion doesn’t belong in sport, (though a club with a social conscience and responsibility does) and anyone espousing praise of the IRA /pope is just the other side of the old firm coin. And just as bad. So there.
WWF football and fans full steam ahead.
HH
Paul67
It would be best for Celtic in the current climate demand that all communication be in writing. Be it with anyone.
Have Strathclyde police ever communicated to Celtic at any time (that the current board members know of) alluding to any safety issues as described in:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/Sport/SafetyIssues/SportsGrounds/SafetyCertification
in writing?
Or is it a case of “better watch out” considering the state of Ibrox. ken.
gallowgate mad squad
16:32 on
26 March, 2013
May I suggest that you read a history of Celtic before attempting to whitewash Catholicism and Irish Republicanism from our history.
Personally I have no desire to be a Glasgow version of Hibs or Dundee United.
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon @ 16.18
Wonder what Jim Leishman is thinking about, any more of that sort of chat and people will be looking at the new rangers and start asking awkward questions – like – does that rule apply to them as well……??
Re The Boavista game watched it in Mulcahy’s Pub Clonmel. Was an extra biggie for me as I had got my tickets for the Final prior to Liverpool game. Mulcahy’s is a very big pub and about 25 of us were in seperate area at the end of the Pub watching the game on a large screen. When the goal went in there was a huge roar from us, there were other more sanitised citizens watching the game on smaller Tellies throughout the pub but on hearing the roar came rushing up to our spot. I remember a massive chorus of The’re a Grand Old Team, after the game I realised I was more then half drunk but decided to have a few more. Was really jarred at that stage, most of the crowd had left and was just chatting to 2 elderly gentlemen when 2 Scottish lads walked in. They heard us going on about the game came over and whipped off their jackets revealing the Hoops. They had watched the game in a Country Pub which was totally empty apart from themselves. It was a pity our crowd had gone home by the time they arrived but I had a few jars with them and we sang a few songs.
Mhark67
Paul decides the questions. He pays for this site, he writes the articles, and he allows you a forum in which you get to vent your spleen. Feel free to email, call or write to PL, I’m pretty sure he will reply. Then pay a webhost and publish his comments and your opinion. That’s what Paul does. And maybe you will be as generous as Paul in allowing those who dissent from your view the luxury of somewhere to share their thoughts.
;)
Hail Hail!
Hamiltontim – I am well aware of our history. And we should rightly be proud of our heritage. Though I do believe that we are neither a ‘catholic club’, nor in anyway republican. We are a football team, formed to be inclusive across all sectors of society. I take my politics very seriously. Some PIRA members would be criticised for having the political moorings of a celtic fan by the high command. That says it all. These guys aren’t really political – they are showboating. As for catholicism, we should recognise the catholic beginnings, but does anyone really feel pride in being a member of one of history’s most awful religions? And by God there are a good few awful religions.
GMS
Hope you are in for the long haul. This debate could run for weeks!!!!
Good luck
I don’t think the club can be inclusive to all and say no to Catholicism and Republican songs. Just my thoughts.
LB
gallowgate, I am proud to be a Catholic, proud to be an Irish Republican and proud to be a Celtic Supporter, “So There”.
Immaculate timing by Bolton F.C.
Kevin Davies (birthday today) and they tell him they are terminating his contract 5 days short of his 10 years service with the club.
So much for loyalty!
I’m not religious. I do take exception to those who pimp Catholicism and to those who attack it when what they really want to express is anti-Irish prejudice.
I certainly wouldn’t want to write out of our history any of our connections. Be it to the Catholic Church, Ireland, Irish Republicanism, Scotland or Glasgow. And of course our many friends and supporters whose roots are in Italy. England. Poland. And latterly, Sweden. I could go on.
GMS don’t cherry pick the bad bits of The Catholic Church in order to have a pop.
Catholicism is as inseperabe from Celtic as is Irishness. It’s not a smorgasbord. There are plenty of Protestants and atheiests who wholeheartedly support Celtic and don’t have a problem with the Catholic association. Anyone who does is supporting the wrong team.
gallowgate mad squad,
I, for one, “feel pride in being a member of one of history’s most awful religions”, to quote yourself. I happen to agree with your main contention; in fact, I have oft and on, argued precisely as yourself, without showing disrespect to anyone’s beliefs. No need for such on this or any forum.
South Of Tunis
16:07 on 26 March, 2013
Boavista ?
I was in Cagliari and had to make do with watching Lazio 0– Porto 0 . A dreadful game where Porto got to practice their diving and feigning injury repertoire . Only good thing was meeting a Lazio supporter who had 2 tickets for a wee game in Seville which he wasn’t going to go to.
HA! Same thing happened to me with a friend of mine, who is a Liverpool supporter. We lived close to each other when he was working in Stuttgart. I got 3 final tickets from him (free of charge!) after BBJ slammed it in at Anfield. Was able to take my brother and my cousin to Seville. Unbelievable that it is 10 years already. Am away to get ma ticket oot, JustforthememoriesCSC
stevebhoy
16:50 on 26 March, 2013
:))) Looking for a pat on the head.
Wonder if Celtic PLC ever thought of sending the following letter to the ‘member’:
Dear Mr GB
We have today been issued with a formal police request to secure your personal details in relation to an alleged offence at Celtic Park. Under the Law we are obliged to comply with this request and so have issued SP with your membership number, seat number contact details etc.
We thought you should be aware of this development and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Yours in Celtic
Pete
then again…………
HH
ROW Z -top marks.
gallowgate mad squad
16:53 on 26 March, 2013
I’ll start taking you seriously when you can decipher between Catholic and catholic.
67Heaven
Is it no’ Swally that’s the PIEd Piper?
:o)
Watched yhe Boavista 2nd leg in O’Learys ,Rutherglen,had to nip out at FT for some air (a wee greet) .Still used to get nervous watching the game when it was repeated on CTV,still think the chance they had in the last seconds is going to sneak inside the post.Great time to be a Celtic supporter.