SOCCER: Celtic chairman Lawwell steps down citing abuse during tricky season

Scottish Premiership club Celtic announced on Wednesday that chairman Peter Lawwell will step down at the end of the month, citing abuse and threats directed at him and his family during a difficult season both on and off the pitch.

Lawwell, 66, made the decision amid growing unrest at the club. Celtic have endured a turbulent campaign that saw head coach Brendan Rodgers resign in October following a poor run of results. In November, the club’s Annual General Meeting was disrupted by angry shareholders, with boos, red cards, and chants of “Sack the board” forcing the meeting to be halted.

“It is with sadness that I announce my decision to stand down as Chairman of Celtic FC,” Lawwell said in a statement released by the club.

Lawwell previously served as Celtic’s chief executive for 18 years before stepping down in 2021. He returned to the club two years later as chairman. Current director Brian Wilson will take over as interim chairman.

“I believe that my 18 years as Chief Executive and three years as Chairman at the club have shown my ability to meet and overcome challenges on many fronts,” Lawwell said. “However, abuse and threats from some sources have increased and are now intolerable.”

He added that the situation had deeply affected his family. “They have dismayed and alarmed my family. At this stage in my life, I don’t need this. I cannot accept it, and so I leave the club I have loved all my life.”

Fans unhappy with board

Despite winning the last four Scottish league titles, Celtic supporters have grown increasingly frustrated with the club’s lack of progress in European competitions. Fans have staged multiple protests this season, criticizing what they see as insufficient investment by the board in the transfer market.

Rodgers’ departure followed Celtic falling eight points behind league leaders Hearts and an early exit from the Champions League at the hands of Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty. His resignation drew sharp criticism from the club’s largest individual shareholder, Dermot Desmond.

Desmond described Rodgers’ words and actions as “divisive, misleading, and self-serving,” saying they contributed to a “toxic atmosphere around the club” and fueled hostility toward members of the executive team and the board.

Celtic briefly enjoyed improved results under interim manager Martin O’Neill, who won all five league matches during his return. However, new head coach Wilfried Nancy has struggled since taking charge two weeks ago, losing his first three matches.

Nancy’s debut came in a home fixture against Hearts, which Celtic lost 2–1. That was followed by a 3–0 home defeat to AS Roma in the Europa League and a 3–1 loss to St Mirren in the League Cup final on Sunday.

Celtic are scheduled to face Dundee United later on Wednesday. They currently sit six points behind Hearts in the league but have two games in hand. -Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne/Reuters