Dawn raids on homes of three young Celtic fans; doors kicked in

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The Celtic Star

·20 novembre 2025

Dawn raids on homes of three young Celtic fans; doors kicked in

Some really concerning developments today that can only result in further division and disharmony among the Celtic Boar, Police Scotland and the Celtic supporters. Here’s an update from the Celtic Fans Collective plus a letter that the fans group has sent to senior officials at Celtic this afternoon…

The Green Brigade, Photo The Celtic Wiki

“As you may know, the Celtic Fans Collective was preparing to respond to the Club regarding the threats against the Green Brigade and the wider standing section. This was to take the form of a letter in which we would set out the Collective’s solidarity with our fellow fans while still offering to take part in meaningful engagement.

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“What you may not know is that this morning there were dawn raids on the homes of three young Celtic supporters; doors were kicked in, and medically vulnerable family members had their phones and tablets seized. The offence they are charged with is Breach of the Peace – not assault.”

Police on horseback are seen outside the stadium prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Rangers FC at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Celtic Star spoke to a criminal lawyer today who found it remarkable that these Police actions were allowed to happen for such a minor offence as a Breach of the Peace as warrants are usually only justified for much more serious offences. In fact our criminal lawyer was clear that he had never heard of a Breach of the Peace charge being worthy of a warrant being granted.

Police officer wearing a face covering prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Celtic Fans Collective added: “It is clear from the timing and the nature of the charge that this is a PR stunt and that the Club and the police are colluding to divide the support. We have sent the following letter to Celtic, and we will be sharing this on social media as soon as possible in order to ensure that the Club and the police do not control the narrative and in advance of the Safety Advisory Meeting this afternoon. Attached is the text of the letter which was sent a short time ago.”

Police on horseback are seen outside the stadium prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Rangers FC at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Text of the letter is shown below.

“Celtic Fans Collective steering committee voted unanimously to defend our supporters, and stand ready to do so for all fans in future.”

Here is the letter sent this afternoon by the Celtic Fans Collective to various senior figures at Celtic including Head of Security Mark Hargreaves, CEO Michael Nicholson and CFO Chris McKay by Celtic Fans Collective…

Important – Green Brigade/SAG

The Celtic Fans Collective writes in response to recent correspondence between the Club and the Green Brigade, and in light of the forthcoming meeting of the Safety Advisory Group (SAG). We represent a number of supporter organisations, including the Green Brigade, and speak collectively and consistently in defence of fair treatment, due process, and constructive engagement between Celtic Football Club and its supporters.

Over recent weeks, we have watched with increasing concern as the Club has issued significant punitive measures against supporters without adequate dialogue, evidence-sharing, or any meaningful consultation. It is particularly troubling that allegations have been treated and communicated publicly as established fact, while those affected have not been invited to participate in any objective or transparent investigative process.

This approach stands in stark contrast to the Club’s handling of supporter-led concerns such as multiple attempts by fan groups to raise issues relating to stewarding and policing. In these matters, the Club has consistently taken months to respond or failed to respond at all. When supporters request accountability or clarification, the pace is slow and engagement inconsistent. When the Club moves to punish supporters, the action is immediate. The Collective is deeply concerned at the imbalance in this dynamic, and the harm it causes to trust, transparency and safety at Celtic Park.

We note that the Green Brigade has repeatedly sought dialogue regarding the events surrounding the match against Falkirk, the conduct of stewards and police, and wider safety concerns in the Standing Section. These attempts were met with silence until sanctions were issued. Dialogue should be the first step in any process, not the last.

We are also concerned by the Club’s suggestion that failure to comply with punitive measures imposed without due process may result in sanctions on uninvolved supporters. This is a divisive, unnecessary and damaging escalation, and it reinforces the perception that the Club is attempting to isolate and weaken supporter organisations rather than engage with them fairly. Such threats have no place in healthy supporter relations.

Regarding the Safety Advisory Group, we recognise that its deliberations will be influenced substantially by the information and tone provided by the Club. We are therefore disappointed that the Club has not supported the request for representation from the Celtic Fans Collective or from any supporter organisation at the meeting. Transparency requires that supporter voices be part of discussions which directly concern them and their safety, particularly given that the SAG framework explicitly allows its Chair to invite third-party participation. Participation should be encouraged, not obstructed.

Despite these concerns, the Collective remains committed to constructive dialogue and a de-escalatory path forward. We believe the following steps are necessary to restore trust and safeguard fair process:

1. The immediate reinstatement of dialogue between the Club and the Green Brigade, or their chosen representatives, regarding the current dispute.

2. A pause on all sanctions until supporters have been given an opportunity to present evidence and participate in a fair and transparent process.

3. Support from the Club for the attendance of a Celtic Fans Collective representative and/or legal representation at the SAG meeting or any meetings going forward, in line with the SAG’s own terms of reference.

4. A credible process for assessing supporter safety concerns, with guaranteed acknowledgement and follow-up, rather than silence.

The Collective speaks with unity and clarity on this matter: the relationship between Celtic Football Club and its supporters cannot be based on unilateral decisions, untested allegations, or selective engagement. It must be built on transparency, trust, fairness, and dialogue – principles that have, regrettably, not been reflected in recent actions.

We urge the Club to change course, engage meaningfully, and work with its supporters rather than against them.

We remain open – as we have always been – to constructive conversation and a positive resolution.

As we write this letter we have been informed that three supporters have been targeted by police at their homes this morning in dawn raids – a very unwelcome return to the dark days of the Offensive Behaviour Act when many football fans, including Celtic supporters, were arrested and charged only to have their charges dropped or to be found Not Guilty at subsequent and delayed trials.

In what is a really shocking development, we are aware that the offenses for which their doors have (literally) been kicked in is Breach of the Peace – not assault or anything more serious. This together with the timing of this outrage leads us to believe there has been significant collusion between the Club and the police and is no more than a well-timed publicity stunt the day before the AGM and designed to cause division among Celtic supporters.

The Club are undoubtedly aware that no trial will take place otherwise they would not have jeopardised a fair trial with their unequivocal public statements that there was an ‘assault’ carried out by an identifiable group of people. On this basis we are absolutely certain that the charges against these young men will be dropped or will fail to stand up in court. Notwithstanding the behaviour of the Club and its officials, which we utterly condemn, we remain willing to engage as outlined above.

We would welcome an urgent response.

Many thanks,

Celtic Fans Collective