Celtic supporters disrupted the planned minute’s silence ahead of their match against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on Sunday, prompting referee Don Robertson to cut the commemoration short after just a few seconds.
The silence had been arranged in recognition of Remembrance Sunday, marking respect for those who lost their lives in conflict.
As both sets of players stood in the centre circle, whistles and jeers could be heard from sections of the home support, leading Robertson to call the tribute to an early end.
The disruption began before the silence officially started, with isolated shouts audible during the stadium announcement explaining the gesture.
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Once the referee signalled for the tribute to begin, further noise rose from the stands and Robertson blew his whistle again to resume preparations for kick-off.
The match was not televised, but BBC Radio Scotland commentator Rob McLean reported: “It was a very brief minute’s silence, it was a few seconds’ silence.
“It was threatening to be disrupted, and Don Robertson decided to quit while he was ahead.”
Celtic and Kilmarnock players stood for the minute's silence on Remembrance Sunday
|GETTY
This is not the first time the fixture has coincided with controversy on Remembrance weekend.
Supporters also disrupted the silence in the same meeting last year, then held at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park.
That tribute was also halted early, with Sky Sports subsequently apologising during their live coverage. Commentator Ian Crocker told viewers: “Sorry if you were offended by the disturbance to the silence.”
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🤢 DISGUSTING scenes at Celtic Park as the home support refuse to respect the minutes silence for fallen soldiers 🍀 #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/QLk1Wugxmk
— Football Latest (@Inverted_Fool) November 9, 2025
During the match in 2022, Celtic’s away support displayed a banner criticising British foreign policy, referencing historical and contemporary political issues, including the conflict in Gaza.
A statement from North Curve Celtic, a group associated with the club’s prominent fan section, later argued that their protest reflected what they described as perceived inconsistencies in how political and humanitarian suffering is acknowledged.
At the time, then-manager Brendan Rodgers commented on the difficulties surrounding the occasion.
He said: “I think if it’s a minute silence, it should be a minute.
“You guys know the script up here at this time of the year. It’s always a challenge. But if it’s a minute silence, it’s a minute silence.
“I think we all want to respect that. And we understand that some don’t. So it can be a divisive one.”
Celtic players standing for the Remembrance Sunday silence
|PA
For this latest match, the Green Brigade, one of the club’s most recognisable organised supporter groups, was not present.
Celtic had imposed a temporary ban on the group after alleging that supporters had prevented police from making an arrest during an incident at a match against Falkirk in October.
The Green Brigade disputed the club’s account at the time, stating that the justification for their suspension was “disingenuous” and arguing that the ban was linked to wider disagreements with the board.
The match itself resumed without further incident, and Celtic took an early lead.
Striker Johnny Kenny scored in the 10th minute, finishing a move that lifted the atmosphere in the stadium following the pre-match disruption.
The goal gave the home side control of the early stages as they sought to maintain momentum in the Scottish Premiership title race.