On Sunday, I entered the Janefield St tunnel from the east at 11:38 (Google tracking to the minute), and reached my turnstile (T22), which is a few meters beyond the gates. The gates were open at this time, approximately 15 minutes before kick-off. The tunnel was busy but orderly and there was no crushing.
Reports suggest the gates were closed 10 minutes before kick-off. Fans continued to walk towards their turnstile, not knowing the gates ahead were closed. This caused crushing and distress, as fans were boxed in.
There was a slightly higher footfall in the tunnel than previous games against Newco, or others. 6,000 extra Celtic fans were situated at the east of the stadium than were there during previous games against Newco. Some of them approached the stadium from the west. The police stopped Celtic fans walking west-to-east along London Road, leaving the Janfield St tunnel as the only available route.
This scenario is reminiscent of what happened at the Hillsborough Disaster. Fans entered the Leppings Lane terrace through a tunnel, unaware that ahead was a solid wall of people. Fans walking through the tunnel had no way of knowing they were trapping people in front of them. There was no escape to the side and police refused to open gates at the pitch side of the terrace. 96 people died.
No significant crushing injuries happened on Sunday probably because the police realised the consequence of closing the gates and opened them again within minutes, and the crowd remained calm. Those trapped in the tunnel were lucky.
Tunnels are not inherently dangerous but become so when badly controlled. It is permissible to block people from entering them, but it is negligent to create a blockage in a tunnel that becomes a crush-point, stopping people passing through, or leaving.
I was at a serious incident on Janefield St in 1985, when four mounted police created panic by charging through the back of a crowd leaving a Celtic-Rangers game. That evening I witnessed a bottle fly out of the Rangers end and hit an officer on the head, causing him to collapse. Then, after the game, I saw a Celtic fan throw an object at a mounted police officer, striking him on the face.
I am sure the subsequent charge through the crowd was some sort of indiscriminate retribution for the latter incident, on a day the police suffered at least two casualties. The subsequent investigation and findings completely contradicted what I saw.
Before Sunday’s game serious mistakes were made. Clear acknowledgment must be made this time.
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Didn’t know whether to post tonight or not
Don’t know what else can be said about FtSFA
Celtic accept it all
Or as Neganon puts it
Back of the bus
I’d like to think we’d be seen to push back on some things like this….regardless of any actions undertaken by the Club we were not privy to.
I wouldn’t advocate playing to the gallery…or indeed any part of the ground… but something that underlines that we’re all on the same side might be considered timely.
And as for the tunnel incident, scoddland seems happy enough that Celtic have “apologized” presumably taking this as an admission of guilt.
If the Filth have their hands on this too, we need to be told and they need to be seen in the proper light with all attendant publicity.
I was in the middle of Janefield St crush on Sunday. I was the first one up the wall and and clinging onto the metal fence moved along and out of it. There was no gate closed that I could see – no expert obviously but having the centre gate open and people going both ways looked like the problem. Clearly it was open as Janefield St was the only way around the environs of the stadium due to London road being totally blocked to segregate the 800. In the most simplistic terms the crush was caused by closing London road for the 800 and funnelling god knows how many into the tunnel. Could have been very much worse and we should be thankful it was not.
Doing Fire Safety Training in Ayr today,never seen so many Norn Iron tops in my life…
Regarding the assault on KA — the deflection operation was well underway on the BBC with the photo of KA with his leg in the air and the comment asking if he had left the boot in?
Incredible spin on the events — but fair play to the BBC team …
They must have spent hours searching for an angle to try and justify AMcG’s actions.
It is all about doubt — finding any sliver going.
Or if you can’t find it you make it up.
Disgraceful by the BBC.
BB-IMO Celtic would be liable for Sunday’s incident by and large,Police Scotland as well,there will be loads of CCTV available, it was a shambles,and it was more luck than judgement that there was no major injuries or even fatalities. The Club’s initial, embarrassing statement looked to me like they were trying to sweep it under the carpet.
Difficult though it can be , I try to be objective when discussing matters Celtic. Even so, I really do find it impossible to justify the decision not to take action against McGregor . Can anyone on here, without emotion, see how the SFA could have honestly reached the decision they did?
JJ
I was always sceptical about claims that Shortie sports dept was a hotbed of Timmed-up influence.
I’d never want them to be partial to us or anyone else either at the expense of journalistic objectivity – but the hun narrative throughout the fitba coverage is almost total. With their credibility gone the channel offers nothing for us.
JJ- His manager said he should have been sent off…..
Bada
Given the seriousness of the issue and the potential for disaster all parties responsible should hold their hands up, learn the lessons required and treat our patrons appropriately. Nowt less.
HH.
BB- exactly, that type of incident was totally avoidable in this day and age, serious questions need to be asked and answered HH
BB
I know. It really does seem like an astonishing decision.
Is there anyone on here willing to set up some form of protest to highlight not only the decision but the fact that the three man panel do not publish their reasoning?
JJ
If the Club do not make it clear how the events of Saturday will be prevented in future, they will make visiting Celtic Park a far from pleasant experience for many supporters.
Goodnight all,
JJ
The dead are more important than the living here. There is no-one alive who knew anyone buried behind the cemetery wall. The wall should be removed and graves reinterred.
Silverburn Shopping Centre is built on top of a 17th century graveyard.
The club should make application to scrap this Compliance officer review system as it is so one sided to protect Sevco and their players to avoid retrospective punishment. It is clear that 3 ex refs in private sit down and think of ways to excuse Sevco players Behaviour.
We should also stand against any moves to bring VAR as this will result in the same results given past evidence of the refs. Having Willie Young, Dougie McDonald, Andrew Waddell, Stuart Dougall or numerous other brothers to still be involved in decisions would be bad for Celtic.
Delaneys Dunkey,
I cant begin to tell you how much I love you and Bobby on line. Tomorrow night I am going to see Celtic The Musical at the Pavillion. My sisters are treating me for my 65th birthday. (3 oct) We have a lot of problems family wise at the moment so I cant arrange a meet uo with you around it. In another time I would at least meet you in the horseshoe bar. I’m sorry. Another day my friend. But I think I will be a big disappointment. I love Celtic with my heart and souls but nothing like most of the guys on here, week in and week out home and away. I’m a nothing.
This 3 man review committee, in the interest of openness and fairness, should make their reasoning available in print to any interested party . Perhaps available on the SFA website?
Otherwise people might suspect there is something less than honest going on . Surely not in 21st century Scotland!?……………..
Seems to me that if the arrangements for crowd segregation before the game were new arrangements, it’s extremely dumb to try them out ‘live’ as it were.
Also, I wonder whether consideration was given only to getting the away support in to the ground, forgetting that there would be what, 6000 to 7000 more Celtic supporters to get in via turnstiles at that end of the ground. Did that just not occur to somebody?
And it’s all very well to say ‘get there earlier’ but that is to miss the point entirely.
Whatever the story was, the arrangements were dangerously incompetent and some transparency in making sure the situation does not recur would be as welcome as it is unlikely.
Looking at the Celtic Star blog,and they have the Europa squad named.No sign of Daniel Arzani there.Is this correct?Loads of developement players there.
Jimthetim53, never say you ar a nothing pal.
Your contribution on here is greatly appreciated.
You are a Tim ffs, so you are a born winner.
???
D. :)
JJ
Just my own way of dealing with a corrupt Scottish football
Do not go to away games
Do not do FtSFA cup games – home, away or neutral Hamdump
Do not do Hamdump for anything
Do not do League cup games – Gate money shared with team we play, semi finals or finals a team Hamdump, money goes to FtSFA who run the stadium.
Just wish more Celtic fans followed this, would force change quickly
I support Celtic at Celtic park, season tickets, European games etc
My Green pound is only for Celtic
By the way jimtim53 let me know how the musical goes.
I am going on Saturday 15 September
Hail Hail
D. :)
Just seen the Record,and they also say Arzani not included.Something very strange here.
JIMTHETIM53
You’re one of us mate and always will be:))
God bless you and your family.
KTF
Anyone know if Lewis Morgan is included in our Europa squad?
In the minority as usual but I’ll be cheering on the Scotland TEAM on Friday night, my last evening here in Javea. Scotland’s best chance would be to have Tierney, Brown, CalMac, Forrest and Griffindor in the starting 11. Scott has retired (For the 2nd time) but hopefully the others do my country proud. Oh and it’s be good to see Armstrong and McGinn too.
Even though it’s bedtime now I’ll put my tin hat on!!
Auldheid – some time ago you wrote a short piece about “outsourcing” SPFL refereeing to reduce the (possibly) malign influence of the current refereeing fraternity.
I have been utterly horrified by the McGregor/Ajer case where it is pretty evident that the panel who decide if a case has to be answered – I guess the football equivalent of a prosecuting authority or procurator fiscal – is made up of anonymous ex-referees who have a superb opportunity to apply whatever bias they wish – be that pro-Sevco or anti-Celtic or whatever – or merely not wishing to open an ex colleague up to criticism. Such a panel will NEVER come up with a just, unanimous decision.
This is, unfortunately, part of the “process” which our new Compliance Officer has been landed with – I guess she is powerless in this circumstance – and until this process is changed, very radically changed, then the cesspit that is Scottish Football will continue to be a corrupt, laughing stock of a sport.
When you have time, could you give some consideration as to how this process coud be applied fairly & consistently in your model of an outsourced refereeing service?
Please.
GDT
Yes, Lewis Morgan in the squad
Nytol
Morgan is in Europa squad, but no Arzani
Jobo – enjoy the last night of your hols……….
I just hope none of our Bhoys don’t get injured…………………
How’s the weather been?
;)
HH.
Thanks Norrie.
Arzani taking on the Musonda role
Evening All.
Another fantastic performance and result on Sunday from our hooped heroes.
We were in at a meeting with Celtic earlier this evening that was intended to deal with issues regarding supporters’ behaviour since the start of the season. In light of Sunday’s events in Janefield St we persuaded those in attendance representing the club that the initial agenda should be scrubbed and that this should be the priority.
The statement by the police contains several ‘inaccuracies’ and Celtic’s initial statement on Sunday was a disgrace. To suggest that the police acted promptly and efficiently flies in the face of hundreds of emails we’ve received from Celtic supporters in the aftermath of Sunday. Despite this Celtic and the police deserve the opportunity to put forward their own version of events.
However, please be assured that we are seeking a full independent and transparent review which hopefully will ensure that Sunday will never, ever happen again at Parkhead.
Currently, we’re working with Celtic to address the concerns of all those those involved.
If you witnessed what took place please email us with as much detail as possible at mailto:theceltictrust@gmail.com
theceltictrust@gmail.com
Until the hun demographic is out-weighed in scoddland, the SFA will largely work for the promotion of the teddies and be a malign influence that Celtica needs to overcome………….The Boolin’ Klub fraternity is gettin’ auld but the force is strong and sleekit.
Shugs enduring position in the game speaks volumes………
How that is eradicated, God only knows.
Bankiebhoy1 – weather has been mostly brilliant, thank you. I see you hope that “none of our Bhoys don’t get injured”. I actually hope the very opposite ;-) ;-) ;-)
Sleep tight Bhoys and Ghirls.
Jobo………….
(H)ooooops!
I should get the missus to korrekt my grammur and speelin!
:0
HH
jtGorNE7Q&start_radio=1
FRIESDORFER on 4TH SEPTEMBER 2018 12:53 PM
Melbourne Mick, I have arrived in Mount Eliza visiting my brother. If you are viewing, would be great to meet up with you and the rest of the bhoys for the St Mirren you could let me know the venue. Many thanks and HH