Menu
08/11/2010
Celtic Fans Anti-Poppy Stand Condemned
A Westminster MP has accused Glasgow Celtic of "not doing enough to stop an anti-Poppy protest".
The DUP's Gregory Campbell (pictured) is upset even though the team's management apologised for banners unfurled by a group styling itself the 'Green Brigade' at half-time during its 9-0 home win over Aberdeen on Saturday.
'Your deeds would shame all the devils in Hell. Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan. No bloodstained poppy on our Hoops', said the fans' banners, which Mr Campbell said, was not the first year there had been such protests.
"I know that Celtic have apologised and that is right, and that is a good step for them to take," said the East Londonderry MP.
"I think they need to go further, because it has happened last year and in previous years, and it will happen again next year."
He said they need "to stand up and lance this boil and say not only are we going to be passive in this, we are going to actively promote the act of remembrance".
"These people died so we can all have freedom, even the freedom to insult those who paid the supreme sacrifice.
"That's the freedom those people laid down their lives for, and I think the very least those people and their relatives could expect is that people would remember that with dignity," he fumed.
However, Celtic said in a statement: "The actions of this small minority have no place at Celtic Park.
"We are currently investigating the matter and, clearly, we apologise for any offence caused."
The Belfast News Letter flagged the story on its front page today and said that the Celtic supporters calling themselves the Green Brigade were angered at the team's participation in an initiative by the Scottish Premier League, which involves all 12 clubs wearing a poppy on their kits for the matches over the coming Remembrance weekend.
Making reference to Bloody Sunday, Basra and the sinking of the Argentinian warship the General Belgrano during the Falklands War, a website statement said: "While we recognise the right of individuals to remember their dead and that many within the Celtic support will wear the poppy in memory of family and friends lost in WW2 and other confects, we cannot accept the imposition of the poppy onto our shirts."
The group is reported to be trying to organise a boycott of this weekend's match at St Mirren when the poppy will appear on the Celtic players' kits.
(BMcC/GK)
The DUP's Gregory Campbell (pictured) is upset even though the team's management apologised for banners unfurled by a group styling itself the 'Green Brigade' at half-time during its 9-0 home win over Aberdeen on Saturday.
'Your deeds would shame all the devils in Hell. Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan. No bloodstained poppy on our Hoops', said the fans' banners, which Mr Campbell said, was not the first year there had been such protests.
"I know that Celtic have apologised and that is right, and that is a good step for them to take," said the East Londonderry MP.
"I think they need to go further, because it has happened last year and in previous years, and it will happen again next year."
He said they need "to stand up and lance this boil and say not only are we going to be passive in this, we are going to actively promote the act of remembrance".
"These people died so we can all have freedom, even the freedom to insult those who paid the supreme sacrifice.
"That's the freedom those people laid down their lives for, and I think the very least those people and their relatives could expect is that people would remember that with dignity," he fumed.
However, Celtic said in a statement: "The actions of this small minority have no place at Celtic Park.
"We are currently investigating the matter and, clearly, we apologise for any offence caused."
The Belfast News Letter flagged the story on its front page today and said that the Celtic supporters calling themselves the Green Brigade were angered at the team's participation in an initiative by the Scottish Premier League, which involves all 12 clubs wearing a poppy on their kits for the matches over the coming Remembrance weekend.
Making reference to Bloody Sunday, Basra and the sinking of the Argentinian warship the General Belgrano during the Falklands War, a website statement said: "While we recognise the right of individuals to remember their dead and that many within the Celtic support will wear the poppy in memory of family and friends lost in WW2 and other confects, we cannot accept the imposition of the poppy onto our shirts."
The group is reported to be trying to organise a boycott of this weekend's match at St Mirren when the poppy will appear on the Celtic players' kits.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 September 2003
British Legion appeals for 'poppy people'
The Royal British Legion is set to launch a special campaign on Monday aimed at finding more Poppy Appeal collectors and organisers. The campaign to find more 'poppy people' is being launched with the message 'Count Me In' and aims to increase the number of collectors by 10%.
British Legion appeals for 'poppy people'
The Royal British Legion is set to launch a special campaign on Monday aimed at finding more Poppy Appeal collectors and organisers. The campaign to find more 'poppy people' is being launched with the message 'Count Me In' and aims to increase the number of collectors by 10%.
08 November 2022
UUP Calls For 'Truth And Justice' For Enniskillen Poppy Day Massacre
The Ulster Unionist Party has reiterated their call for "truth and justice" for the victims of the 1987 Enniskillen Poppy Day Massacre. Today, Tuesday 08 November, marks the 35th anniversary of the IRA bombing, which killed 12 people and injured dozens more as they gathered on Remembrance Sunday.
UUP Calls For 'Truth And Justice' For Enniskillen Poppy Day Massacre
The Ulster Unionist Party has reiterated their call for "truth and justice" for the victims of the 1987 Enniskillen Poppy Day Massacre. Today, Tuesday 08 November, marks the 35th anniversary of the IRA bombing, which killed 12 people and injured dozens more as they gathered on Remembrance Sunday.
16 July 2013
110 Drug Deaths Last Year In NI
About 110 people died last year as a result of the misuse of both illegal and legal drugs, according to Health Minister Edwin Poots. This was the message from the Health Minister following a meeting with the PSNI and community organisations. The meeting followed the unexplained deaths of eight people across Northern Ireland recently.
110 Drug Deaths Last Year In NI
About 110 people died last year as a result of the misuse of both illegal and legal drugs, according to Health Minister Edwin Poots. This was the message from the Health Minister following a meeting with the PSNI and community organisations. The meeting followed the unexplained deaths of eight people across Northern Ireland recently.
10 October 2022
Renewed Appeal For Information On Murder Of Sean Fox
Detectives from the PSNI's Major Investigation Team have made a renewed appeal for information and revisited the scene of the murder of Sean Fox. Mr Fox (42) was shot dead inside the Donegal Celtic Sports and Social Club on the Suffolk Road in west Belfast on Sunday, 2nd October. Detective Chief Inspector Millar said: "At around 2.
Renewed Appeal For Information On Murder Of Sean Fox
Detectives from the PSNI's Major Investigation Team have made a renewed appeal for information and revisited the scene of the murder of Sean Fox. Mr Fox (42) was shot dead inside the Donegal Celtic Sports and Social Club on the Suffolk Road in west Belfast on Sunday, 2nd October. Detective Chief Inspector Millar said: "At around 2.
11 February 2015
Council Vote To Replace Stolen Statue
Limavady Borough Council have voted to replace the stolen Manannán Mac Lir sculpture. The six-foot Celtic sea god statue was stolen from Binevenagh Mountain last month, and has not been seen since, despite a police investigation and appeals for information.
Council Vote To Replace Stolen Statue
Limavady Borough Council have voted to replace the stolen Manannán Mac Lir sculpture. The six-foot Celtic sea god statue was stolen from Binevenagh Mountain last month, and has not been seen since, despite a police investigation and appeals for information.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
