COLOURFUL fan displays on the terraces of Celtic Park will be scaled back with the extra cash being ploughed into legal funds for supporters facing court action for “offensive behaviour”

Celtic FC supporters group The Green Brigade announced that they will take the focus of their tifo displays at Parkhead in a bid to fight several ongoing prosecutions in the Scottish courts against their members.

In a statement published on the fan website The Huddleboard, which claims to be from The Green Brigade, the organisation states: “This season has proven to be a difficult one for our group as Police Scotland appear to have once again heightened their war on football supporters, by seeking to abuse the obscene powers granted to them by the now-doomed Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 whilst they still can.”

The statement outlines that eight members of the Green Brigade currently face 11 charges for alleged offences between them.

In addition, two younger members of The Green Brigade also have a charge each against them.

The statement said: “These charges include several for the heinous crimes of shouting and swearing, for singing apparently “offensive songs” which advise police officers where they may wish to put their cameras, for the displaying of anti-police banner and some for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

The statement continues: “As a result of these charges, and in the knowledge that more sadly be to follow, we have been left with no choice but to drastically scale back on the tifos we had planned for this season, as all of our efforts and funds are now required to support our members and to fight the unjust criminalisation of the Celtic support.

“Whilst we always strive to provide as vibrant and colourful a support for the team as possible, we can no longer continue as though it is business as usual.”

Irish rebel band Glasnevin have also covered a version of the folk song Grace which has been made available for digital download to help with the fundraising bid.

The Green Brigade say they will use the money raised from sales of the single to fund the legal costs their members will incur.

The Green Brigade statement added: “As a founding member group of the Fans Against Criminalisation, we will continue to fight the criminalisation of football supporters and will not yield to the harassment that we face. Police Scotland seem to be taking a sadistic pleasure in harassing fans at present.”

Jeanette Findlay, of The Celtic Trust, said: “Obviously the laws of these banners which are often very clever and funny add to the atmosphere of the stadium is something that we’ll regret but we completely understand why The Green Brigade should feel the need to take this action in terms of the considerable cost involved defending their members from petty and bogus charges.

“This is yet another example of how the 2012 legislation is destroying football and its repeal will be in everybody’s interest.”

The Green Brigade’s decision comes as the club prepare to mark the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions winning The European Club.

The supporters group has been at the forefront of recent tributes which mark this special occasion including at the recent Barcelona game at Parkhead.

Police Scotland were contacted for comment.