GREEN BRIGADE BAN EXTENDED IN SAFETY ROW

CURVE BALL First six rows in safe standing section to close

- BY ANTHONY EVANS

CELTIC last night extended the ban on some ultra fans amid fears the club could be forced into closing their safe standing section after council bosses threatened to throw the book at them.

Around 200 members of the Green Brigade had been temporarily banned from the stadium following incidents involving police and stewards in a match against Falkirk in October.

That ban was ignored by GB members but after a meeting with council chiefs on Friday, Celtic confirmed safety concerns have now forced their hand in closing the first six rows of the safe standing sections that are occupied by the GB.

Their suspension has also been extended indefinitely, preventing them accessing Celtic Park and away matches. Ina statement, Celtic said the move “is due to safety incidents involving the Green Brigade, including direct threats against the club's head of safety and security operations, impacting safety within the rail seating section”.