Celtic AGM Disrupted by Shareholder Protests

Celtic’s annual general meeting, chaired by Peter Lawwell, was abruptly adjourned within five minutes due to vocal protests from shareholders, who chanted “sack the board.”

As directors entered the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park, they were met with boos and a display of enlarged red cards held aloft by numerous attendees. The atmosphere intensified with chants of “out, out, out” until interim manager Martin O’Neill received cheers upon his introduction by Lawwell.

Shortly after a season review video began playing on large screens, Jeanette Findlay, vice-chair of the Celtic Trust, approached the top table, urging the meeting to transition directly to questions. This plea was overshadowed by continued chants of “sack the board.” Lawwell responded to the disruption by stating, “This disruptive behaviour is not on. It’s got to stop. We have to have respect for everyone else in the room.”

In response to shouts of “you respect us,” Lawwell called for a 30-minute adjournment. The meeting reconvened shortly after 11:00 GMT.

The board has faced considerable criticism from supporter groups regarding the club’s summer transfer dealings and its failure to qualify for the Champions League group stage. Notably, principal shareholder Dermot Desmond was absent from the meeting, which was also streamed for fans in a separate function suite.