Celtic supporters disrupt minute’s silence for Remembrance Sunday
Celtic supporters disrupted the planned minute’s silence ahead of their match against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on Sunday, prompting referee Don Robertson to cut the commemoration short after just a few seconds, reports BritPanorama.
The silence had been arranged in recognition of Remembrance Sunday, intended to honour those who lost their lives in conflict. As both sets of players stood in the centre circle, whistles and jeers emerged from sections of the home support, leading Robertson to conclude the tribute prematurely.
The distraction began prior to the silence officially starting, with isolated shouts heard during the stadium announcement that explained the gesture. Once the referee signalled for the tribute to begin, noise surged from the stands, and Robertson blew his whistle again soon after to resume preparations for kick-off.
The match was not televised, but BBC Radio Scotland commentator Rob McLean noted: “It was a very brief minute’s silence, it was a few seconds’ silence… It was threatening to be disrupted, and Don Robertson decided to quit while he was ahead.”
This incident is not the first accompanying such a fixture on Remembrance weekend. Last year, supporters similarly disrupted the silence during the same meeting, held at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park, resulting in Sky Sports offering an apology during their live coverage.
In 2022, Celtic’s away support displayed a banner criticising British foreign policy, referencing both historical and contemporary political issues, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Following that disruption, North Curve Celtic, a group associated with the club’s prominent fan section, described their protest as reflecting perceived inconsistencies in acknowledging political and humanitarian suffering.
Then-manager Brendan Rodgers remarked on the challenges surrounding the occasion, stating: “I think if it’s a minute silence, it should be a minute. You guys know the script up here at this time of the year. It’s always a challenge. But if it’s a minute silence, it’s a minute silence.”
For this latest match, the Green Brigade, one of the club’s most recognisable organised supporter groups, was absent. Celtic had imposed a temporary ban on the group after allegations that supporters had obstructed police from making an arrest during an incident at a match against Falkirk in October, a claim the Green Brigade later described as “disingenuous.”
Despite the pre-match disruption, the game itself resumed without further incident, with Celtic taking an early lead thanks to striker Johnny Kenny’s goal in the 10th minute. His finish lifted the atmosphere in the stadium as the team sought to maintain momentum in the Scottish Premiership title race.
