The Celtic Fans Collective has hit back at the club after its late-night statement condemned the tennis ball protest aimed at majority shareholder Dermot Desmond during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.
The umbrella group, which includes the Green Brigade, Bhoys Celtic ultras and the Celtic Trust, was accused by the club of bringing "shame" on Celtic. In response, the Collective warned that the "notoriously thin-skinned" Desmond would not silence opposition.
Collective's response
In a statement, the Celtic Fans Collective said: "In yet another rash late night statement, Celtic Football Club, almost certainly at the behest of minority shareholder Dermot Desmond, sought to attack the Celtic Fans Collective. Similar interventions in recent years have tended to appear whenever the notoriously thin-skinned Desmond feels personally slighted."
The group added: "Yet, when Celtic endure disastrous transfer windows, failed managerial appointments, supporters being attacked or kettled by police or humiliating performances on the park that have actually damaged Celtic's reputation, the same urgency is nowhere to be seen. This tells Celtic supporters everything they need to know about Dermot Desmond and his priorities."
Club's condemnation
Celtic released a stinging statement on Saturday night, saying: "Celtic Football Club condemns in the strongest terms the deliberate disruption which took place today at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews. This was a premeditated action."
The club claimed the protest was discussed and planned in advance at a meeting of the Celtic Fans Collective committee, with minutes recording a proposal to disrupt the event using tennis balls and banners. The club said it was aware that Collective funds would be used towards materials for the protest.
Celtic said: "Those responsible have brought shame upon the name of Celtic Football Club and upon a reputation which generations of Celtic supporters have spent more than a century building."
Club cuts ties with Collective
The club announced it would no longer recognise the Celtic Fans Collective as a representative body and would cease all engagement with immediate effect. It added that any individuals or groups involved in planning, facilitating or participating in the action would be banned indefinitely from Celtic Park.
Celtic said: "The Club will not be intimidated or coerced by organised acts of disruption. Nor will decisions concerning the stewardship of Celtic Football Club be dictated by those prepared continually to escalate their behaviour."
The Collective responded: "We will respond in greater detail to the disgraceful mischaracterisation of our organisation, and of Celtic supporters who have lost confidence in this board, in due course. For now, if Dermot Desmond believes threats and bluster will silence opposition and allow him to return to presiding over Celtics' decline, undisturbed from the golf course, he is sadly mistaken."
