Celtic AGM Descends Into Chaos
Celtic Football Club's annual general meeting was dramatically cut short on Wednesday after widespread disruption from furious shareholders boiled over in the Kerrydale Suite at Parkhead. The gathering, which began at 10.30am, quickly transformed into a heated shouting match as discontent over the club's management reached breaking point.
Board members were met with immediate hostility as they took the stage, facing loud boos and a sea of red cards waved by attendees. The atmosphere turned increasingly volatile with chants of 'sack the board' echoing around the room, prompting chairman Peter Lawwell to issue an initial warning after one shareholder approached the top table.
Meeting Collapses Amid Widespread Protests
After just four minutes and 37 seconds, Lawwell announced a half-hour adjournment in an attempt to calm the situation. When proceedings resumed at 11.01am, a mass walkout occurred with departing shareholders directing angry gestures toward the directors.
A pre-recorded interview with Lawwell was then played, in which he described Celtic as having a 'good year on and off the park' despite acknowledging supporter frustration. 'We have made mistakes and recognise there are improvements to be made,' Lawwell stated. 'That is our focus moving forward — to do everything we can to make this club successful.'
The situation escalated dramatically when director Ross Desmond, representing his father and major shareholder Dermot Desmond, delivered a prepared statement that further inflamed tensions. He accused certain fans of 'stirring up toxicity' and attempting to 'dehumanise' board members.
Board Statement Fuels Further Conflict
'There are those who lie in wait for any opportunity and any small opening to stir up toxicity around the club,' Desmond declared. He defended his father's credentials as a 'passionate and lifelong Celtic supporter' who first invested in the club more than 30 years ago.
Desmond's comments about the board acting 'prudently, not recklessly' and not being 'railroaded by those whose only vocation in life is to be anti-establishment' prompted dozens of attendees to rise to their feet and shout him down.
With the meeting descending into further chaos, Lawwell brought proceedings to a close after just 24 minutes and 11 seconds, apologising to shareholders who had genuine questions but declaring the meeting closed due to the ongoing disruption.
The formal business of the day remained incomplete, meaning the AGM will likely need to be rescheduled, potentially with only directors present and votes conducted by proxy.
