Football has always been more than just a game—it’s a powerful tool for social and political expression. Nowhere is this more evident than in the unwavering support of Celtic FC’s fanbase for Palestine. For years, Celtic fans have used the stands as a platform to voice their solidarity with the Palestinian people and their opposition to Israel’s actions.
Most recently, in a UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich at Celtic Park in Glasgow, the club’s ultra-fan group, the Green Brigade, organized a striking TIFO display calling for Israel to be banned from international football competitions. The movement is now rapidly spreading among football fans worldwide.
Celtic Fans Unveil “Show Israel the Red Card” Campaign
During the match against Bayern Munich, Celtic’s Green Brigade made their stance on Israel clear with a dramatic TIFO display at halftime. The massive banner, reading “Show Israel the Red Card”, was raised in the North Curve section of Celtic Park.
Notably, the word “Israel” appeared in quotation marks, with the letters dripping in blood, symbolizing the lives lost in the ongoing conflict, particularly Palestinian children, footballers, and civilians.
Accompanying the main TIFO banner, fans in the stands held up red sheets of paper carrying the same message, reinforcing their call for UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israel from all football competitions. A Palestinian flag was also prominently waved in the stands, making the protest impossible to ignore.
In addition to the visual protest, the Green Brigade released a statement via their official Twitter account, North Curve Celtic, outlining their reasons for launching this campaign:
Last night, Celtic fans showed Israel the red card. This was a direct message to UEFA and FIFA to apply the respective statutes and suspend Israel from competition. Israel is committing genocide and ethnic cleansing. It is practicing apartheid, and it is illegally occupying Palestinian territory. All of this is in breach of international law.
In 15 months, Israel has murdered at least 382 Palestinian footballers and at least 235 other sportspeople. Of these numbers, at least 96 are children and at least 286 are youths. Israel has destroyed 147 football facilities. Israel has prevented football from being played across all of Palestine. These crimes have no place in our beautiful game.
Football fans have a unique and powerful platform, and with such influence comes responsibility. We call on football fans around the world, who value life, humanity, dignity, freedom, peace, and justice, to be courageous and to use your platform to stand against the crimes of Israel and stand with Palestine. You can make a stand by adopting ‘Show Israel the Red Card’ and by applying the flag of Palestine.
Football is an incredibly powerful tool. If the football world unites to isolate Israel, then other arenas will inevitably follow this example. It is time both UEFA and FIFA practice the values which they preach—equality, respect, and human rights—until the last level.
Following this post, fans from clubs across Europe, South America, and beyond began echoing the sentiment, adopting similar protests in stadiums worldwide. But before we dive into that one must ask who are the green brigade after all, and what does it stand for? Let’s get to know a bit more about that.
Who Are the Green Brigade? Celtic’s Ultras and the Fight for Fan Identity
The Green Brigade is more than just a fan group—it is an ultras movement that has played a defining role in Celtic’s modern identity. Formed in 2006, the group sought to restore the electric atmosphere at Celtic Park, which had faded after the stadium’s redevelopment. However, their passion extends beyond football, with a strong emphasis on political activism and social justice.
Origins and Philosophy
The Green Brigade was founded by discontented members of another Celtic fan group, the Jungle Bhoys, with a vision of creating an ultra-style support—one that included non-stop chanting, large-scale TIFOs, and a politically active presence. Given Celtic’s deep Irish heritage and historic ties to anti-colonial struggles, the Green Brigade naturally aligned itself with left-wing causes, including Irish nationalism and Palestinian resistance.
Their displays of solidarity—whether in the form of banners, chants, or donations—have often landed them in trouble with authorities, but their influence within the Celtic fanbase has only grown stronger over the years.
Clashes with the Club and Authorities
From the start, the Green Brigade’s activism placed them at odds with Celtic FC’s board, Scottish authorities, and UEFA. Their vocal support for Palestine, opposition to British military symbolism, and defiance of club-imposed restrictions led to frequent confrontations.
• 2010: The Green Brigade protested the addition of the poppy symbol on Celtic jerseys, arguing that it contradicted the club’s Irish heritage. This sparked national outrage but did not result in bans.
• 2012-2016: The Scottish government’s Offensive Behaviour at Football Act targeted Green Brigade members for singing Republican songs. In response, they staged protests, including a banner comparing William Wallace to Irish hunger striker Bobby Sands.
• 2013: After accusations of damage and the use of pyrotechnics at a Motherwell away game, Celtic banned 128 members and disbanded the Green Brigade’s section at Celtic Park. However, fan pressure led to their reinstatement in 2014.
Despite these struggles, the Green Brigade has revolutionized Celtic fan culture, ensuring that Celtic Park remains one of the most electric stadiums in Europe.
The Green Brigade’s Palestinian Solidarity and the Liel Abada Controversy
The Green Brigade’s unwavering support for Palestine is well-documented. Their flags, banners, and chants in support of Palestine have been a consistent feature at Celtic Park, drawing both praise and criticism.
Supporting Palestine Beyond the Stands
Beyond matchday displays, the Green Brigade has directly supported Palestinian football. They have raised funds for a Palestinian football academy based in the Aida Refugee Camp in the West Bank, ensuring that Palestinian children can continue to play the sport despite Israel’s military restrictions.
Liel Abada’s Departure from Celtic
Israeli forward Liel Abada left Celtic FC in 2023, despite having two years remaining on his contract. While he did not explicitly state his reasons, he mentioned that leaving was “not in his plans” and that he had a “very, very difficult time in Scotland.” Reports suggested that he faced pressure from Israeli authorities and media to stop playing for Celtic, as their fans regularly displayed pro-Palestinian banners and messages.
His departure underscored the deep-rooted political tensions surrounding Celtic’s stance on Palestine.
Setting the Stage for a Global Movement
Before the Bayern Munich game, the Green Brigade urged all Celtic fans to arrive early and participate in the planned TIFO protest, stating:
“The entire Celtic support has a huge part to play before and during the match tonight. It is important we get behind the team from first whistle to last, whilst making it as uncomfortable and unpleasant as possible for our rivals.”
Their call to action worked—the protest gained global attention, with fans from clubs across multiple continents taking up the same cause. What began as a Green Brigade initiative at Celtic Park is now growing into a worldwide campaign to pressure UEFA and FIFA into suspending Israel from football.
Next, we’ll explore how fans from clubs across South America, Europe, and beyond have joined in, continuing the movement that Celtic fans ignited.
Osasuna Fans (Spain – La Liga)
Osasuna, a club based in Pamplona, Spain, competes in La Liga, Spain’s top football division. While they are not traditionally considered title challengers like Real Madrid or Barcelona, Osasuna has a strong and passionate fan base.
During their recent 1-1 draw against Real Madrid, where Jude Bellingham was sent off for yelling ‘fuck off’ at the referee, the focus was not just on the game. Instead, it was Osasuna’s “Nomeka Serende” stand that captured global attention. Thousands of fans held up red cards, forming a tifo that read ‘Show Israel the Red Card’ in both Spanish and English. The stadium was filled with the sea of red, making their stance loud and clear.
Bursaspor Fans (Turkey – TFF First League)
Bursaspor, based in Bursa, Turkey, was once a dominant force in Turkish football, even winning the Süper Lig title in 2010. However, they currently play in the TFF First League, Turkey’s second division.
Bursaspor’s fans responded to Celtic’s Green Brigade call with a banner reading ‘Kick Israel Out of Football’. Their European and UK Twitter account also tweeted the following statement:
Bursaspor fans have responded to the Green Brigade’s call to show Israel the red card, standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We are proud to stand alongside supporters across the world who advocate for peace and justice. Our thanks go to Green Brigade and all the fans who have shown the courage to support Palestine. Football should bring people together, not serve as a platform for oppression.
Aris Thessaloniki Fans (Greece – Super League Greece)
Aris Thessaloniki is one of Greece’s historic clubs, competing in the Super League Greece, the country’s top-tier division. While they haven’t won the league in recent years, their ultras are among the most vocal in Greece.
In an away game against Levadiakos, Aris Thessaloniki fans held up red cards in protest, while the home supporters responded with chants of “Free Palestine.”
CD Palestino Fans (Chile – Chilean Primera División)
CD Palestino, based in Santiago, Chile, was founded by Palestinian immigrants in 1920 and has long been associated with Palestinian solidarity. They play in the Chilean Primera División, the country’s top league.
During their match against Cobresal, Palestino’s fans unveiled a banner reading ‘Do Not Stain the Ball with Palestinian Blood’ while also holding red placards. Given the club’s deep historical ties to Palestine, their stance carried significant symbolic weight.
Paris Saint-Germain Ultras (France – Ligue 1)
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is the dominant force in French football, winning multiple Ligue 1 titles in recent years. However, their ultras (411 Ultras) have often had a strained relationship with the club’s management due to restrictions on supporter activities.
In a recent demonstration, 411 PSG ultras gathered outside the Parc des Princes to protest Israel’s participation in international football. Their Tifo banner read ‘Show Israel the Red Card’, displayed prominently outside the stadium.
AD Alcorcón Fans (Spain – Segunda División)
AD Alcorcón, based in Madrid, Spain, plays in the Segunda División, Spain’s second tier. Their supporter group, Chavs71, took a strong stance on the issue.
Their fans wore t-shirts that formed the phrase ‘Show Israel the Red Card’ when they stood together in two lines. They also held up red placards to amplify their message.
Ultras Redmen (Morocco – Botola 2)
CODM Meknès, a Moroccan club competing in the Botola 2 (Morocco’s second division), saw its Ultras Redmen group take a vocal stand.
Their banner stretched across an entire section of the stadium, reading:
“Gaza Needs No Relocation, Only Liberation”.
Moroccan fan groups have historically been among the most politically active in North Africa, and this was yet another example of their passionate activism.
Union Saint-Gilloise Fans (Belgium – Belgian Pro League)
Union Saint-Gilloise, based in Brussels, Belgium, is a club with a rich history, having won multiple Belgian titles in the past. Their fans held up banners reading:
“Red Card Israel – Never Forget.”
This display further solidified the movement’s reach within European football.
FC Carl Zeiss Jena Fans (Germany – Regionalliga Nordost)
FC Carl Zeiss Jena, a club based in Jena, Germany, competes in the Regionalliga Nordost, Germany’s fourth division.
Fans gathered outside the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld stadium, holding red flares and banners calling for Israel’s exclusion from football.
Shabab Al-Khalil Fans (Palestine – West Bank Premier League)
Shabab Al-Khalil, based in Hebron, Palestine, competes in the West Bank Premier League. Their Ultras Khalele group displayed red cards in their recent games, with banners reading “Show Apartheid Israel the Red Card.”
UD Langreo Fans (Spain – Segunda Federación)
UD Langreo, a club based in Asturias, Spain, competes in the Segunda Federación, Spain’s fourth division. Their fans also held up red placards and banners, calling for Israel’s suspension from football.
Espérance Sportive de Tunis Fans (Tunisia – Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1)
Espérance Sportive de Tunis, one of the most successful clubs in Tunisia, recently won the Tunisian Super Cup.
During the final, their fans unveiled a massive banner honoring Palestinian resistance, featuring imagery of Palestinian children and people, with text written in Arabic.
A Global Fan-Led Movement
From the top leagues in Spain and France to grassroots-level football in Palestine, football fans worldwide are making their voices heard. What started as an initiative by groups like the Green Brigade of Celtic FC has now turned into a global wave of protest.
While governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA have yet to respond to these demonstrations, one thing is clear: football remains a platform for political expression and solidarity.
As fans continue to raise the red card, this movement shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
What’s Next?
As these protests grow, the real question remains: will football’s governing bodies listen? Or will this become yet another moment where fans speak out while the institutions remain silent?
One thing is certain—the world is watching.
