Referee forced to intervene after Celtic fans disrupt remembrance Sunday minutes silence
The atmosphere inside Celtic Park turned tense on Sunday as a planned minute’s silence to mark Remembrance Sunday was disrupted by a section of Celtic supporters, forcing the referee to intervene before the tribute could be completed. What was meant to be a solemn moment of respect descended into confusion and audible unrest, drawing reactions from both sides of the Scottish football divide and sparking fresh debate about the club’s relationship with remembrance commemorations.
Before kick off, both sets of players lined up in the centre circle as the stadium announcer called for a minute of silence in honour of those who lost their lives in wars and conflicts. However, just seconds into the tribute, a group of Celtic fans began jeering and chanting, breaking the silence and prompting visible frustration from players on the pitch. Referee Nick Walsh quickly stepped in, cutting the silence short to prevent further escalation, before blowing his whistle to start the match.
This disruption immediately went viral on social media, with footage circulating widely. Many supporters condemned the incident, describing it as “embarrassing” and “disrespectful.” Some fans, however, defended it as a form of political protest linked to opposition against the British military’s actions, a long standing source of tension within certain sections of Celtic’s fanbase. The club has often found itself caught between supporters who wish to separate politics from football and others who view their identity as inseparable from political history and Irish republican sympathies.
Celtic Football Club later released a short statement expressing disappointment over what had occurred, reaffirming that the club’s intention was to show respect to all victims of war. “The club recognises the importance of marking Remembrance Sunday and regrets any disruption that may have occurred during today’s planned moment of silence,” the statement read. “We thank the majority of supporters who observed the silence respectfully.”
The referee’s decision to end the tribute early was widely supported by pundits and officials, who argued that allowing the noise to continue would have further disrespected the intended spirit of the occasion. Sky Sports commentator Andy Walker described it as “a shameful moment for a minority,” adding that “the players on both sides deserved better than that.” Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew also voiced his disappointment, saying, “You can have your views, but there’s a time and place, that wasn’t it.”
Despite the controversy, many Celtic supporters online sought to distance the wider fanbase from the disruption, insisting that only a small group were responsible. “Thousands stood in silence, a handful decided to ruin it,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter). “Don’t let that define us.” Others pointed to previous years where the remembrance tribute had passed without major issue, suggesting that this incident was not representative of the whole support.
Opposing fans, particularly from Rangers, wasted no time criticising Celtic supporters for the episode. Several Rangers fan pages shared clips of the disruption, with comments calling it “disgraceful” and “a new low.” The incident is expected to lead to discussions within Scottish football about how clubs should handle remembrance commemorations in the future, particularly when tensions over political symbolism are so deeply ingrained.
This is not the first time Celtic fans have been involved in similar controversies. In previous years, banners and chants related to Irish republican causes have sparked disputes around Remembrance events. The club’s attempts to strike a balance between honouring traditional tributes and respecting its supporters’ complex political identity continue to prove challenging.
As the dust settles, Sunday’s events serve as another reminder of the unique social and political dynamics surrounding Celtic Football Club. For some, it was an unacceptable lack of respect on a day meant for unity and remembrance. For others, it was an expression, however controversial, of a deeply rooted stance. Whatever the interpretation, the referee’s quick intervention ensured that the focus returned to football, but the debate over remembrance at Celtic Park is far from over.
