Scottish Premiership side Celtic confirmed it will reopen the Green Brigade section of its stadium after Saturday's league opener against Heart of Midlothian, but "some supporters will remain suspended," according to Ewing Grahame of the LONDON TIMES. The club announced a two-game closure of a 900-capacity section of the safe-standing area at Celtic Park for its Champions League home tie against Rosenborg last week and the visit from Hearts following "serious incidents of unsafe behaviour" at the previous two home fixtures. Fans in the area housing "the Green Brigade ultras-style group held a pyrotechnic display" in Celtic's final home game of last season. A club statement revealed the "majority of season-ticket holders would be readmitted after the Hearts game." It added, "The club is now in the process of writing to those supporters to inform them of this decision and to confirm the control measures which are in place to allow the area to be reopened and operated safely by the club" (LONDON TIMES, 8/1).
FAN ARRESTS: The BBC reported police "have arrested 12 men over banners that were displayed at last month's Champions League qualifying match between Celtic and Linfield." A section of the Celtic support "unfurled paramilitary-style banners" during the club's 4-0 victory at Celtic Park. The banners led to Celtic being fined €23,000 ($27,200) by UEFA. Police Scotland said that 12 men aged between 18 and 49 were arrested over "banners and material" at the match (BBC, 8/1).
