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'Intolerable' - Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell blames 'abuse and threats' for departure from Scottish Premier League club at end of month
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Updated 17/12/2025 at 18:18 GMT
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Peter Lawwell has announced that he will step down as Celtic chair after "abuse and threats" became "intolerable". Lawwell has overseen a difficult season, during which manager Brendan Rodgers resigned in October, supporters protested at what they perceived as a lack of transfer spending, and new manager Wilfried Nancy lost his first three games in charge.
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Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell said "abuse and threats" are behind his decision to step down from the role at the end of December.
Celtic’s leadership have faced sustained protests and criticism from supporters after what they regarded as an underwhelming summer transfer window.
That situation was exacerbated after their exit from the UEFA Champions League, the depparture of title-winning Brendan Rodgers, and the six-point gap between Celtic and league leaders Hearts.
Rodgers, who resigned in October and was replaced on an interim basis by Martin O’Neill, was eventually succeeded on a permanent basis by Wilfried Nancy.
Nancy has lost his first three matches in charge, with further disappointment for the fans coming on Sunday as they lost the Premier Sports Cup final to St Mirren.
Lawwell will be replaced by non-executive director Brian Wilson from December 31 until a permanent replacement is appointed.
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In a statement on the club’s official website, Lawwell said that the situation had become "intolerable" and he would be resigning.
"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," Lawwell wrote.
"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."
Lawwell also recounted many of his memories, saying: "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.
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"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."
Leading shareholder Dermot Desmond praised Lawwell and expressed his regret at his exit, saying: "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.
"As chief executive, Peter was the driving force of the club and, in his later role as chairman, he oversaw board affairs.
"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."
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