SENTINELCELTS

There was no game at Parkhead on Saturday. It was the correct decision, no problem. After all, pieces of the stadium fell, but I’ve questions about the affair because it looks like the contingency planning fell to pieces.

Before I go any further I’ll point out I’m far from an expert and I haven’t read up on the actual footballing rules regarding a naturally damaged stadium, but Health and Safety can get a match shutdown, the ultimate decision rests with them and not the football authorities.
Yet, the police have had the authority to tell football you’re not playing that particular game at that time of day. The ultimate reason is for safety but it’s a police call.
That’s two departments that have the authority to cancel games or dictate affairs.
One of them did cancel the game, but very late in the day, leaving many out of pocket.
Why it took both so late is one question, the other question, why is there a decision to make at all,,under a severe storm alert mass gatherings of any kind should be canceled by mandate.
I see it all the time, the legalities of being responsible aside, really bad weather coming, event canceled and hunker down folks is a regular occurrence publicized days in advance.

As people we are all entering a new phase of weather, and we all know why. This wasn’t a one-off, it’s a sign of things to come.
I can’t blame Celtic,,if anything only minor damage is the sign of a decently built stadium plus they couldn’t/wouldn’t ask workmen to leave their homes/loved ones on the Friday.
While football was a victim, it could also be a leader. Grant clubs the authority to cancel games if the stadium is in the path of a category 1 upwards? If natural stadium damage occurred in the previous 48 hours?
Of course Gov could make that decision moot by saying everything’s canceled until after.
I don’t think anyone is really ready for the new normal,,hence roofs being blown off, walls collapsing alongside decision making efficiency, legislation found lacking and the host club itself powerless to take decisive steps.

So if there’s any positives to take its not that we didn’t drop two points but dropped two roof panels instead, it’s that the oversight/emergency planning mechanisms for events during severe weather must be looked at, must be modified and streamlined, because of the risk and spend left hanging by on the day call-offs. Being reactive rather than proactive just left fans out of pocket with nothing to show for it, they deserve better.

The eventful non-event capped off one hell of a week, I’ve got a feeling by next Monday Celtic will have a new face in the dressing room, no info just a hunch, and call me naive but I’m loving the fact we can hit Birmingham and both teams play without actually needing a win, but rather just play for pride. Call me a romantic but such occasions can and have brought out the best in Celtic.

By Mahe sentinelcelts@gmail.com