Celtic AGM Descends Into Chaos as Shareholders Revolt
Celtic's annual general meeting was abandoned after a mere 25 minutes as furious supporters directed their anger at the club's board members. The dramatic scene, which unfolded on a day described as 'bitter' for the club, saw shareholders hold up red cards, boo loudly, and chant "sack the board" as directors arrived.
Board Faces Wrath of Unhappy Shareholders
The meeting was thrown into disarray almost immediately. After a half-hour adjournment was called in an attempt to calm the situation, pre-recorded interviews were shown. Ross Desmond, son of principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, then read a statement criticising the fans' behaviour. He defended the board, led by Peter Lawwell, and the executive, led by Michael Nicholson, calling them "dedicated Celtic people."
He stated, "The attempts to dehumanise them and vilify them are shameful. They love the club as much as anyone here and they have suffered just as much as anyone." Despite this, the protests continued, and the meeting was closed before any formal resolutions or a question-and-answer session could take place.
A Club in Crisis On and Off the Pitch
The background to this unrest is multifaceted. Supporters are deeply unhappy with the club's management, citing a perceived lack of serious communication and a widely criticised summer transfer window. The situation was exacerbated by the resignation of manager Brendan Rodgers in late October, a position which remains unfilled.
Martin O'Neill, currently in caretaker charge, watched the AGM unfold from the top table. Meanwhile, the club trails Hearts by seven points in the Scottish Premiership, albeit with a game in hand. As the search for a new manager continues, with Wilfried Nancy the favourite, the delay is only adding to the mounting frustration amongst the Celtic faithful. The club now has the option to complete its necessary business in private.
The team, including a heavily covered-up Kasper Schmeichel, now prepares for its next challenge: a trip to face St Mirren on Saturday evening, with the shadow of this internal turmoil looming large.
