Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell quits club after ‘abuse and threats’ left family worried | Football | Sport
Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell has announced his decision to step down from the club’s board, with the 66-year-old stating that he has received “abuse and threats”. Lawwell worked as Celtic’s chief executive for 18 years between 2003 and 2021 before leaving Parkhead. He then returned to become the Scottish Premiership club’s chairman at the start of 2023.
Celtic have endured a tough season on and off the pitch, with Brendan Rodgers leaving his role as the club’s manager at the end of October. After Rodgers departed the club, Celtic’s majority shareholder Dermot Desmond referred to a “toxic atmosphere around the club”, with Martin O’Neill ultimately coming in as manager on an interim basis. The Northern Irishman was replaced by Wilfried Nancy at the start of December, with the current boss already coming under huge pressure after losing his opening three matches. And there have also been fan protests aimed at the board this season after an underwhelming summer transfer window.
“It is with sadness that I announce my decision to stand down as chairman of Celtic FC,” Lawwell explained in a statement on Wednesday.
“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.
“The motivations and aims of these detractors can be investigated by others. I prefer to look back on my career at Celtic with deep gratitude and satisfaction.”
And Lawwell added: “My time at the club has brought joy to someone whose memories as a Celtic fan include standing as a schoolboy on the terraces as the European Cup was paraded at Celtic Park on that magical night in 1967.
“I have subsequently watched some great European nights at Paradise and am proud that the club has played group-stage football in all but two of the last 21 years while also enjoying domestic dominance.
“I also take great pleasure in the continuing and ever more substantial impact of Celtic FC Foundation. The club’s foundation impacts so many lives in the Celtic family and far beyond. We are more than a football club and the foundation is the most obvious evidence of this truth.
“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.
“My life at the club has included dramatic ups and downs in football but they have also given me the experience, drive and desire which I will take on to my next project, whatever and wherever that may be.
“My thanks go to my many colleagues over the years who have supported me, and I am grateful to the coaches and players who delivered this era of remarkable and historic success.”
