Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell has revealed he is stepping down from the club’s board due to “abuse and threats”.
The 66-year-old joined Celtic in 2003 as chief executive and held that position for 18 years, before returning in 2023 as non-executive chairman.
However, he and other members of the club’s board have faced protests from supporters in recent months who have criticised their transfer activity and the long-term football strategy.
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During a turbulent spell off the pitch, there was also public questioning of the transfer process by former boss Brendan Rodgers, who resigned in October.
An open letter, backed by hundreds of signatories, representing tens of thousands of fans, was also issued to the board, plus the club’s AGM in November was abandoned after only 25 minutes with heckles of ‘sack the board’ from shareholders.
Fans also displayed banners in protest at matches, plus were often heard chanting against the board and even disrupted games by throwing objects on to the pitch.
Lawwell – who oversaw a total of 38 trophy triumphs during his time in Glasgow – says the abuse and threats are now “intolerable”.
Meanwhile, chief executive Michael Nicholson said “this is a sad day for Celtic” and major shareholder Dermot Desmond added that he was “very sorry to lose Peter” but understood his decision.
Why was Lawwell targeted in protests?
Sky Sports News’ Gordon Duncan:
“It’s a very complex situation at Celtic. From the outside, people probably look at a club that wins pretty much everything.”
“However, there has always been this feeling amongst the Celtic supporters, or at least some of them, that the club should be doing more, they should try and build from a position of strength.”
“Peter Lawwell used to be the CEO, he ran the club on a day-to-day basis. Since he’s come back as chairman, I’m sure he would be keen to point out that he no longer runs the club on a day-to-day basis, and that is left to others.”
Lawwell statement in full as he steps down ‘with sadness’
In a statement, Lawwell said: “It is with sadness that I announce my decision to stand down as chairman of Celtic FC.”
“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, but abuse and threats from some sources have increased and are now intolerable.”
“They have dismayed and alarmed my family. At this stage in my life, I don’t need this. I cannot accept this and so I leave the club I have loved all my life.”
“Our achievements were all made possible by a dedicated workforce and a fervent support binding together. I am deeply proud and privileged to have been part of that.”
‘A sad day for Celtic’
Celtic’s principal shareholder Dermot Desmond added: “I am personally very sorry to lose Peter as our chairman, but I understand and respect his decision, in light of recent events and what he has endured.”
“Peter has witnessed 38 cup or title triumphs in his time at the Club, a period of extraordinary domestic dominance for us as we have also competed in European football.”