1 day ago
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Celtic's annual meeting has been abandoned after shareholders jeered when director Ross Desmond accused some fans of being "bullies".
The meeting at Celtic Park had earlier been adjourned for half an hour by chairman Peter Lawwell less than five minutes after it started following chants of "sack the board" by some shareholders.
But it was ultimately called to a halt an hour "because of disruption" as Desmond read out a statement on behalf of himself and his father, Dermot, the club's largest shareholder, who did not attend.
In a statement on their website shortly afterwards, the Scottish Premiership club said: "Such conduct is completely unacceptable and hugely disappointing.
"And, while today's events are completely outwith our control, clearly we regret the impact on our shareholders who were deprived of the opportunity to take part in an orderly and constructive meeting."
Celtic's board has been under major criticism from supporters groups over the Scottish champions' summer transfer business and failure to qualify for the Champions League, while they currently trail surprise domestic league leaders Heart of Midlothian by seven points.
Friday's meeting was also held amid the backdrop of a continued search for a new permanent team manager after Brendan Rodgers resigning last month and former boss Martin O'Neill was appointed caretaker.
Desmond began his statement by defending his father, a "lifelong and passionate" Celtic supporter, and vowed that the board would not be "bullied by aggressive and irrational" criticism.
The Irishman defended Lawwell and chief executive Michael Nicholson and claimed attempts to "dehumanise and vilify them are shameful".
Desmond went on to criticise a section of fans over a recent incident that led to the Green Brigade ultras group being banned and added: "Those people are bullies."
That was as far as he got in his statement as the reaction of the shareholders prompted Lawwell to bring the meeting to a close.
Directors had been met with boos and dozens of red cards from shareholders as they entered the packed Kerrydale Suite, with other fans watching via video link from another function suite.
Cries of "out, out, out" followed before there were cheers for O'Neill when the interim manager was introduced.
As a season review video began to play on big screens, Celtic Trust vice-chair Jeanette Findlay approached the top table to ask that the meeting move immediately to questions.
Amid more shouts and chants of "sack the board" from shareholders, Lawwell said: "This disruptive behaviour is not on. It's got to stop. We have to have respect for everyone else in the room."
After shouts of "you respect us", Lawwell called a 30-minute adjournment.
When the meeting resumed, dozens of fans walked out as a series of videos were played on big screens while Lawwell, Nicholson and chief finance officer Chris McKay defended the board's record.
They returned after the videos in anticipation of the usual question-and-answer session, but Desmond's statement proved to the the final act.
"Chairman Peter Lawwell called a poll on the resolutions at the end of the meeting, the results of which will be made available once counted and verified by our registrar, Computershare," Celtic added.
"Should any shareholders wish to raise a question, they can do so by contacting our investor relations department and we will endeavour to respond to any queries."
Regrettably, due to the continuing disruptive conduct of a small number of individuals preventing the orderly management of today's AGM, we were required to conclude the meeting earlier than we had planned.
Such conduct is completely unacceptable and hugely disappointing, and while today's events are completely outwith our control, clearly we regret the impact on our shareholders who were deprived of the opportunity to take part in an orderly and constructive meeting.
Chairman Peter Lawwell called a poll on the resolutions at the end of the meeting, the results of which will be made available once counted and verified by our registrar, Computershare.
Should any shareholders wish to raise a question, they can do so by contacting our investor relations department and we will endeavour to respond to any queries.
