The Green Brigade have revealed the group is taking legal advice over a "premeditated attack" ahead of the match between Celtic and Rangers - as supporters were held by police.
A statement from the supporter group revealed their belief that actions by Police Scotland officers were "unlawful" as fans were held on London Road and denied entry to the derby fixture at Celtic Park.
A police statement on Sunday confirmed 90 people were reported to the Procurator Fiscal, something the group claims they were not made aware of, after allegations they refused to be searched amid suggestions fans posed a potential threat to safety "due to possible possession of weapons and pyrotechnics".
Green Brigade statement on yesterday's events and general fan repression pic.twitter.com/VgKqyVtwD6
— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) March 17, 2025
The Green Brigade claim supporters were kettled on the road and held for five hours as they missed the entire match due to the police action.
On the claims over identity being concealed by members, the group states an offer to remove items was rejected with hardline rules on searches, ID checks, and police detention in order to move on.
The group branded the measures "draconian and unnecessary" as they called for a formal review of fan engagement in Scottish football with a view to implementing a formal framework.
The Green Brigade statement read: "Yesterday, there was a premeditated attack on football supporters by Police Scotland.
"We believe their actions were unlawful and we are currently taking legal advice. The actions of the police should serve as a stark warning to all football supporters in scotland and anyone who values civil liberties.
"At 10am, the green brigade and other Celtic supporters congregated at the Celtic social club which is a routine practice. at this time, there was a considerable police presence.
"At no point was there any attempt from police officers to relay any information about concerns or expectations of how fans should move to the stadium. similarly, there was no attempt to share information in advance through mutual channels (Celtic football club) as is often the case.
"At 10.45am, we attempted to depart for the stadium. At this point, around 200 people were kettled on the road. We were told that we were being held until all away supporters had entered the stadium and would then be moved along. After around one hour, the police informed us that we had been detained under section 60 of the Public Order Act.
"The reason given was that people were concealing their identity despite the fact that most people were not wearing masks. When this was pointed out, the concern moved to hats, hoods and sunglasses. We offered to remove these items but this wasn't accepted.
"Understandably, we were reluctant to comply with these draconian and unnecessary measures and were therefore detained in the kettle for almost five hours, with no access to food, water or toilets, and missed the entire match.
"In the end, zero arrests were made despite the huge sums of public money wasted on the operation. We have since learned through a Police Scotland press release that every person has been reported to the procurator fiscal despite this not being informed to us at the time.
"While we are clearly angry at what happened, we are more concerned about a pattern of repression against supporters which is increasingly worsening across Scottish football. There is a concerted effort between police, clubs, football authorities and others who seek to control the game to abolish supporter groups who do not conform to their agendas or values.
"It is no coincidence that this police operation followed sanctions by Celtic plc against the same people in the same week. Likewise it is no coincidence that Celtic plc fills its safety and security department with ex-police. In recent weeks, the SPFL - with approval of clubs introduced unprecedented collective punishment sanctions against supporters.
"Scottish football has a committed, passionate, creative and overwhelmingly positive supporters culture. instead of embracing this, it is routinely targeted often leading to mainly young males being unnecessarily and harshly criminalised. strangely, yesterday's incident was exactly 12 years since the infamous 'Gallowgate kettle' which sparked mass demonstrations and ignited the successful fans against criminalisation campaign.
"In light of recent events, we are calling for a formal review of fan engagement in Scottish football with a view to implementing a formal framework for fan engagement at both a central and a club level. it is only through proper two-way engagement with supporters that supporter concerns can be efficiently managed. we will begin consulting and coordinating with all interested supporters in scotland on how to achieve this.
"To be clear, our concerns are not limited to practices often associated with ultras but all and any supporter issues. all supporters have the right to be heard. It is only through a formal framework that this can be achieved and ultimately lead to supporters' common wishes being respected and interests protected.
"We would like it noted that the Celtic SLO, John Paul Taylor, spent considerable time at the incident attempting to liaise and help supporters and has given a report of what happened to Michael Nicholson, CEO. We await comment from Michael Nicholson on both the club's prior-knowledge of this police operation and its concern for supporters' welfare."
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A statement posted on the Celtic SLO account read: "To clarify, I attended the incident in London Rd today from 12:25 where I liaised between PS and fans who were being held.
"I remained on London Rd as in this capacity until 14:10. I have since passed on my feedback to the Club."
A Police Scotland statement read: "A group of 90 people, most of whom had concealed their identity, were denied entry to Celtic Park after refusing to be searched by officers under the applied Section 60 powers on Sunday, 16 March 2025.
"It was the opinion of officers that they posed a threat to the safety of people within the stadium and to the public due to possible possession of weapons and pyrotechnics.
"Whilst the group was contained, pyrotechnics were disposed of and set off causing a fire, endangering both the public and officers. Thankfully no-one was injured.
"All 90 people will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to contraventions of Section 60.
"As part of the wider policing operation there was one arrest at the match; a 20-year-old man. He was arrested and charged for alleged police assault on approach to the stadium. He has been released on an Undertaking to appear at court at a later date.
"A second man, aged 46, is the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal for allegedly being in possession of a pyrotechnic."
