Celtic FC fans who disrupted silence on Remembrance Sunday disrespected Irishmen, Celtic players and fans who died in World Wars, says Doug Beattie MLA
The Celtic FC fans who disrupted the one minute silence on Remembrance Sunday have disrespected the many Irishmen, Celtic players and fans who died in both World Wars to preserve the freedoms they enjoy today, a veteran has said.
A Celtic FC announcer urged fans to respect the one minute silence before their match against Kilmarnock in Glasgow on Sunday, reminding them that several Celtic stars died in the First World War.
However, the one-minute silence before kick off had to be cancelled by referee Don Robertson after ten seconds, due to the level of booing and jeering.
Photos of the game show sections of fans turning their backs to the pitch and making offensive gestures towards the field.
Commentating on Radio Scotland, Rob McLean said: “Well that was cut short. Apologies for any bad language you might have picked up there and apologies that the moment was lost.
“What should have been very poignant was destroyed by someone looking to make a name for themselves.”
He added: “It was a very brief minute’s silence. It was more like a few seconds’ silence."
The disruption happened despite the absence of many of the Green Brigade fans group. Celtic slapped a three-match ban on many of the fan group last week after an alleged assault on a steward.
Royal Irish Rangers veteran Doug Beattie defended the majority of Celtic Fans.
"I am absolutely clear that those Celtic fans who booed the minute silence are not reflective of the whole supporter base Celtic football," the UUP MLA told the News Letter.
"The minority have shamed themselves, they have shamed the club by their actions and I would hope and expect Celtic FC to take action against them if they can identify them."
Mr Beattie retired as a part-time major from the army last month after 43 years service. He carried out three tours of Afghanistan and was awarded the Military Cross.
"What these fans have shown is a complete disrespect to those who served and lost their lives in the armed forces, including both world wars,” he added.
"And some of those people who lost their lives were Celtic supporters and Celtic players; these fans need to reflect on that."
He said that many Irish men also gave their lives in both world wars and we have "a complex history".
"The point is this; It is the National Day of Remembrance. It is a moment when we all come together to simply remember those people who sacrificed their lives to give us the very freedom that we hold today and to disrespect it in the manner that they did is absolutely appalling.
"We must understand that not only were thousands of Irish men killed and injured during the First and Second World War and subsequent conflicts, but many from Scotland, many Celtic supporters, and Celtic players also, sacrificed their lives as well."
Last week Celtic banned the Green Brigade fan group for three home matches after "violent and threatening behaviour" at a recent match against Falkirk.
Around 100 supporters were involved in violence involving a steward and two police officers in October after a ticket inspection.
Sunday's disruption follows similar scenes on Remembrance Sunday last year when Celtic faced Kilmarnock, forcing Sky Sports to apologise.