Celtic in Turmoil Peter Lawwell Resigns as Celtic Chairman After Receiving ‘Unacceptable Abuse and threats’, Club Confirms Successor immediately.

Peter Lawwell to step down as Celtic chairman after citing ‘intolerable abuse and threats’

Peter Lawwell has announced he will step down as chairman of Celtic at the end of December 2025, bringing to a close a hugely significant and often controversial chapter in the club’s modern history.

The 65-year-old said his decision was driven by the level of abuse and threats he has faced, which he described as having become “intolerable” and distressing for his family. Celtic confirmed the development in a statement to the stock exchange, revealing that non-executive director Brian Wilson will assume the role of interim chairman while the club undertakes the process of appointing a permanent successor.

Lawwell, one of the most influential figures in Scottish football over the past two decades, previously served as Celtic’s chief executive for 18 largely successful years before returning to the club as chairman three years ago. His second spell, however, proved deeply polarising, with sections of the support repeatedly calling for his removal amid dissatisfaction over transfer dealings, governance issues and the turbulent departure of former manager Brendan Rodgers.

In a personal statement, Lawwell said he had reached the point where continuing in the role was no longer viable.

“It is with sadness that I announce my decision to stand down as Chairman of Celtic FC,” he said. “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.”

Lawwell added that while others could investigate the motivations behind the abuse directed at him, he preferred to reflect on his time at Celtic with “deep gratitude and satisfaction”.

A lifelong supporter, he recalled watching the European Cup being paraded at Celtic Park in 1967 as a schoolboy, a memory he said remained central to his emotional connection with the club. He pointed to Celtic’s sustained presence in European group-stage football, domestic dominance and the growing influence of the Celtic FC Foundation as highlights of his tenure.

“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,” Lawwell said. “I am deeply proud and privileged to have been part of that.”

Celtic’s majority shareholder Dermot Desmond paid tribute to Lawwell’s contribution, describing him as a “driving force” behind the club’s modern success and financial stability.

“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,” Desmond said. “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.”

Desmond highlighted Lawwell’s role in major infrastructure projects, including the development of the Lennoxtown training centre, the new facility at Barrowfield and upgrades to Celtic Park. He also underlined Lawwell’s influence beyond Scotland, noting his involvement at European level through the European Football Clubs organisation.

“Peter’s knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the Club and our environment has served the club brilliantly over so many years,” Desmond added. “Celtic is in a strong position to withstand whatever the future may throw at us.”

Chief executive Michael Nicholson echoed those sentiments, while strongly condemning the abuse that led to Lawwell’s departure.

“We are hugely disappointed that Peter is standing down as Chairman, particularly in these circumstances,” Nicholson said. “This is a sad day for Celtic. The abuse and threats directed towards Peter, and the impact on his family, are completely unacceptable. Such conduct will never be tolerated by the Club.”

Nicholson described Lawwell as a “lifelong supporter, with Celtic in his blood”, insisting that every decision he made was taken with the club’s best interests at heart.

“Under his leadership at the Club, there have been many achievements on and off the pitch,” he said. “Through both good times and hard times, Peter has always been there for his colleagues.”

Lawwell’s legacy at Celtic is complex. His first spell in charge coincided with unprecedented domestic success, including sustained financial growth and regular European participation. However, his return to the boardroom reignited long-standing tensions with parts of the fanbase, particularly around recruitment strategy and perceptions of a lack of transparency.

The club now faces a period of transition at board level, with Brian Wilson stepping in as interim chairman from 31 December 2025. Celtic have not yet outlined a timeline for appointing a permanent replacement, but the decision will come under intense scrutiny given the scale of Lawwell’s influence and the divided reaction among supporters to his tenure.

As Lawwell prepares to leave, he insisted his connection to Celtic would endure, even as he looks ahead to new challenges away from the club.

“My life at the Club has included dramatic ups and downs in football,” he said, “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.”