CELTIC fans have hit back after they were branded “antisemitic” by German supporters.
In a widely-shared image – which appears to have been photoshopped to translate German into English – FC St Pauli fans were shown flying banners at a game which read: “From Gaza to Glasgow – fight antisemitism” while another said: “Free Palestine from Hamas”.
It comes after Celtic banned members of the “ultras” group the Green Brigade from attending home matches after displays of solidarity with Palestinians, including a banner which read: “Victory to the resistance”.
Many are wary of expressing solidarity with Palestine in ways which could be construed as expressing support for Hamas.
Bhoys Celtic with a response to Fc. St Pauli pic.twitter.com/VJl1nnnQxg
— Liam O'Hare (@Liam_O_Hare) November 2, 2023
Hamas – which runs the Gaza Strip – is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK and expressing support for the organisation is a criminal offence.
In response to the FC St Pauli banners, members of the supporters group Bhoys Celtic were photographed holding banners which read: “Fuck St Pauli” and another reading: “Free Hamburg from hipsters”.
St Pauli are based in the German port city of Hamburg and their supporters are often associated with left-wing causes and antifascism.
Members of the Bhoys Celtic group staged a walkout at the club’s game against St Mirren on Wednesday night over Celtic’s decision to ban Green Brigade members from Parkhead.
Celtic Bhoys staging a walk out protest tonight@CelticFC pic.twitter.com/JbK38ICOdk
— Scottish Football Away Days (@days_scottish) November 1, 2023
A statement circulated on social media read: “Like many Celtic fans, we believe the reasons outlined by the club to come to this decision are a smokescreen.
“We do not accept these reasonings, nor the club’s overreach in deciding to collectively punish hundreds of fans.
“As a fellow group at Celtic who exist to back the team vocally and visually, we oppose the dangerous precedent this sets and note the hypocrisy of the board and those at Celtic who are happy to celebrate the cultural and political tendencies of our fanbase when it suits their commercial agenda.”
Celtic have said the group’s ban related to incidents of what they called “unacceptable” behaviour, including a pyrotechnic display at a game against Feyenoord, flying an antifascist banner at the game against Lazio and rushing turnstiles at Fir Park.
In a statement, Celtic previously said: “To avoid any misunderstanding, the progressive steps taken by the club over a period of time are as a result of an increasingly serious escalation in unacceptable behaviours and non-compliance with applicable regulations, at matches at Celtic Park and away grounds over a period of time, which are creating serious safety concerns and other issues."
Addressing the Palestine banners, Celtic previously told the BBC: “The club should also note that it has been advised of a number of banners and flags used by the Green Brigade which relate to or are connected with terrorist organisations involved in the conflict in the Middle East.
"This is completely unacceptable at Celtic Park and any match involving Celtic Football Club.
"The club is continuing to investigate these and other unacceptable instances of the groups actions."
