Scottish Premiership football club Celtic will review the disabled facilities at its Celtic Park stadium following complaints by supporters, according to The Herald.
The newspaper said that the Celtic Trust, a prominent supporters group, called on the club to carry out an “urgent and comprehensive” review of its disabled facilities, with some fans having been subject to adverse weather conditions while seated near the bottom of the stand.
The Trust admitted that the design of the stadium lends itself to a great atmosphere being created but stated that the stands are “very steep”, with a lack of lifts causing difficulties for fans who are elderly or suffering from illness.
Further concerns have been expressed over Celtic Park’s parking plan, and Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland are reportedly keen on introducing further restrictions.
The Trust said, according to The Herald: “Celtic prides itself on being ‘a club open to all’ yet for those supporters with disabilities and/or additional support needs, actually accessing matches can be a challenge.
“(The resolution) calls on the board and management of Celtic FC to undertake an urgent and comprehensive review of the facilities, within the stadium and its environs, for those supporters with disabilities, mobility issues, and additional support needs, and in so doing identify ways in which to improve the match day experience for these vulnerable groups.
“This review should be undertaken together with the Celtic Disabled Supporters Association, to whom a full report on progress should be made, in time for a scheduled programme of improvements to be carried out in the close season of 2018.”
The Celtic board responded by saying: “Celtic prides itself on being ‘a club open to all’ and is committed to taking reasonable and practical steps to address the requirements of supporters with disabilities and/or additional support needs to obtain safe and secure access to our premises and to enjoy the match day experience at Celtic Park. We seek to treat all of our supporters, customers and visitors fairly and with respect at all times.
“The club is committed to continuing to improve facilities and is happy to undertake a review with the CDSA, report to the CDSA on progress and to schedule a programme of improvements to be carried out in the close season of 2018.”
The board said an update on the situation would be provided at its AGM on November 15.
IMAGE: Brian Hargadon
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