Celtic chairman Lawwell steps down
He's been at the club since 2003.
Celtic non-executive chairman Peter Lawwell has announced he is stepping down from the board with immediate effect.
Lawwell joined Celtic as chief-executive in 2003, serving in that role for 18 years before becoming chairman.
However, he and the rest of the Celtic board have come in for huge criticism during a season that has seen them miss out on qualification for the league phase of the Champions League and fall behind surprise leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
The return of Martin O’Neill as interim manager appeared to have steadied the ship, but the arrival of Wilfried Nancy as the permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers has so far proved disastrous.
Nancy has lost each of his first three games in charge, including a stunning 3-1 defeat to St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup final on Sunday.
Celtic face Dundee United at Tannadice on Wednesday, but the build-up to that game will be overshadowed by Lawwell’s departure, which he made while citing the “intolerable” abuse.
Lawwell departs Celtic
A statement from Lawwell on the club’s website read: “It is with sadness that I announce my decision to stand down as Chairman of Celtic FC.
“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.
“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.”
Non-executive director Brian Wilson will serve as interim chairman until Celtic make a permanent appointment.
Celtic are six points behind Hearts in the Scottish Premiership, but have two games in hand.