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Peter Lawwell is standing down as Celtic chairman at the end of December, citing “intolerable… abuse and threats from some sources”.
The club’s board have been the subject of fan protests this term following a disappointing summer transfer window, a Champions League exit, and the fact they trail leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
New manager Wilfried Nancy has lost his first three games in charge since replacing interim boss Martin O’Neill, who oversaw an upturn in form after replacing Brendan Rodgers after his resignation in October.
Lawwell, who became Celtic chief executive in 2003 and presided over the club for 18 years, was the victim of a fire attack on his South Lanarkshire home in May 2021, when three cars were set alight.
The 66-year-old told the club website it was “with sadness” that he was ending his three-year spell as chairman.
“I believe I 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 said. “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.”
‘It is a sad day for Celtic’
Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond paid tribute to “all he has given” to Celtic over so many years.
He pointed out that Lawwell had overseen the building of their training centre at Lennoxtown, the creation of the new facility at Barrowfield, and the upgrading of Celtic Park during his time at the club.
“I am personally very sorry to lose Peter, but I understand and respect his decision in light of recent events and what he has endured,” Desmond said.
“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.”
Chief executive Michael Nicholson added that it “is a sad day for Celtic” and that “the abuse and threats” directed towards Lawwell and his family “are completely unacceptable”.
Non-executive director Brian Wilson will become interim chairman from 31 December until a permanent appointment is made.
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