CELTIC FANS GROUPS’ STATEMENT AFTER TANGERINE PROTEST SHOWS TOUCH OF CLASS
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
In the wake of Celtic’s title win, the response online to the Celtic fans who protested on two occasions during the match seems to have been mostly positive.
Yes, we know it’s inconvenient when the game gets held up for any length of time. However, from what I’ve seen, the vast majority of Celtic fans get what this protest was about and why it had to happen.
Celtic Fans Remind Us All, with Good Humor, The Importance of Peaceful Protest
I said last week, given the lack of the clubs to show any self-control in terms of excessive ticket pricing, it is time for the regulatory bodies to step in and enforce a universal pricing model, like we have over here in the J-League.
However, the Green Brigade and The Bhoys, two of the fan groups behind the protests yesterday followed up with a statement this morning that showed both the good humor and the charitable spirit that these groups continue to uphold.
First of all, a barrage of tangerines were thrown onto the pitch during the first half as a banner unfurled at the Celtic end read "Enjoy the fruits of our labours".
Smart, on-point, and Daizen Maeda seemed to appreciate the mid-game snack!
The Celtic fans didn't stop there though.
In protest at the price in excess of 40 pounds being charged to Celtic fans yesterday, whilst some home supporters got in for as little as a tenner, Celtic fans took action.
A symbolic 40 footballs were dumped onto the Tannadice pitch shortly into the second half as a sign of the excess and greed that continues to blight our game.
It is quite appropriate that on the day the World said its final goodbyes to Pope Francis, that Celtic fans once again remind us all of the compassion and care towards the less fortunate which defined the late Pontiff's Papacy.
In addition to once again calling for an end to price gouging, the joint statement also asked that those 40 footballs be donated to a local children’s charity in Dundee.
In fairness, I don’t think asking “hey mister, ca we get oor baws back please?” would have gone down very well. But the statement showed good humor and an ongoing commitment to the charitable ethos on which Celtic was founded.
That ethos seems increasingly disjointed from the club’s own policies unfortunately as Celtic once again announced season ticket price increases for next year, despite the club posting record profits.
The onus will be on the board and the recruitment team to ensure that this extra investment is justified.
Fans shouldn’t have to pay more than they already do, but if that extra is reflected in further investment on the park, or the heavily mooted Stadium renovations, then I think we can live with it.
It seems increasingly likely though that intervention either by the governing bodies or perhaps even the Scottish or UK governments will be necessary to get this greed under control.
A number of years ago, the campaign slogan was “twenty’s plenty”. Considering that most working people’s wages haven’t kept pace with inflation since then, I believe that is still very much the case.
Yesterday was one of those truly joyous occasions that, as Celtic fans, regardless of our background, our financial situation or our personal beliefs, I think we could all take great pleasure from witnessing.
It would be truly sad if, in the years ahead, things got to the point where the ordinary working man or woman could no longer afford to witness such events in person.
Protests like yesterday will play a large part in ensuring that doesn’t happen, I hope.