Livingston FC Concerned Over Unapproved Celtic Fans’ Banners At Match

Livingston Football Club has voiced its concerns following an incident involving Celtic supporters during the recent match at the Tony Macaroni Arena. Despite previous agreements, fans of the visiting team breached protocols by displaying unapproved banners, leading to a situation that has sparked discussions among stakeholders.

The match, held on Sunday, saw Livingston allocate three out of four stands to Celtic fans, a move aimed at maximizing attendance and revenue. However, this decision led to unforeseen circumstances when several Celtic supporters moved to the pitchside area to unveil banners, one of which commemorated the 1916 Easter Rising with the message "Born into slavery, they were Freedom's Sons." Another banner, displayed at halftime behind a goal, encouraged the team with the words "Hold on to our title Bhoys. Don't Give up The Dream."

In response to these events, Livingston issued a statement on Wednesday detailing the breach of pre-match agreements. It was revealed that The Green Brigade, a group of Celtic supporters, had initially requested permission for a Tifo display across all three stands designated for Celtic fans and to place a banner in front of the East Stand. This request was denied, with permission granted solely for a display in the South Stand.

Despite this agreement, reached during a pre-match meeting attended by representatives from Livingston FC, Celtic FC, Amberstone (the steward company), and an SPFL delegate, further attempts were made on match day to extend the Tifo display. These requests were refused, yet a banner was still brought into the stadium through an emergency gate and displayed against the agreed procedures.

The club has expressed its disappointment over the incident and is in discussions with external partners to investigate why these breaches occurred and how similar situations can be prevented in future fixtures. Despite the challenges presented by such incidents, Livingston's manager David Martindale remains in favor of filling the stadium with supporters, citing the atmosphere and financial benefits they bring.

Martindale highlighted that away fans contribute significantly to the club's turnover and stressed his preference for playing in high-pressure environments with vibrant atmospheres. He acknowledged that hosting large numbers of away supporters comes with its own set of challenges but emphasized his belief in the positive impact it has on football.

This incident has prompted Livingston FC to reevaluate its procedures for managing large visiting supporter groups and underscores the importance of adhering to agreed protocols to ensure safety and order during football matches.