The Celtic Fans Collective have outlined the full details of the events leading up to the tennis ball stunt targeting Dermot Desmond at St Andrews last weekend.
The club's principle shareholder was targeted by balls lobbed at him during his golf game at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Saturday.
The protest drew the ire of Celtic and a furious statement was released blasting those involved for bringing "shame" on the club and embarrassing the reputation.
The CFC were named as perpetrators in the incident but they claimed they had been "mischaracterised" in a statement of their own. And while bans have been threatened, the Collective have now doubled down with their explanation of the circumstances.
They claim they were aware that some supporters had made their plans to demonstrate and that they would support that protest as part of the wider group. But they also have now revealed in an email to members that they would have suggested postponement of the protest had the club "responded in good faith" to previous meetings.
“Saturday’s protest at the home of golf has generated significant publicity and resulted in another late-night statement from Celtic FC, which included an attack on the Celtic Fans Collective," their email read, as transcribed by Celts Are Here.
“It is therefore important that we explain clearly to members how events unfolded.
“The Collective committee met on Tuesday evening to discuss the meeting with Celtic FC, feedback on Not Another Penny, the forthcoming AGM and the allocation of responsibilities among committee members to ensure the smooth running of the organisation.
“During that meeting, a committee member advised that they had been made aware of plans by supporters to hold a protest on Saturday afternoon and wanted to ensure the Collective was also aware of them.
“The plans had been coordinated by a small number of CSCs. These CSCs are members of the Collective.
“Given the likelihood that the demonstration would, regardless, be assumed to have been coordinated by the Celtic Fans Collective, a decision was taken that evening to support those involved and ensure that participating supporters were not left isolated, exposed or financially out of pocket.
“Clearly, had Celtic responded positively and in good faith following the meeting the previous week, a subsequent decision may have been taken to encourage supporters to postpone the protest while constructive discussions were taking place.
“No such response came and the protest proceeded.
“The supporters who gave up their Saturday and put themselves at risk to send a message to Dermot Desmond should be commended.
“It was a non-violent, legitimate and peaceful demonstration that clearly succeeded in drawing significant attention to concerns.
“We should all be prepared to defend the right of Celtic supporters to protest peacefully.
“Equally, we believe the support should stand together and robustly defend any supporter who subsequently faces disciplinary action from Celtic FC as a consequence of participating in this.”
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