Peter Lawwell to Stand Down as Celtic Chair Amid Intolerable Abuse and Club Crisis
Peter Lawwell announced on 17 December 2025 that he will stand down as chair of Celtic at the end of December, citing intolerable abuse and threats from some supporters that have also affected his family.
The decision comes amid a difficult period for Celtic, which has been marked by transfer-window errors linked to former manager Brendan Rodgers' departure, a Champions League qualifying exit to Kairat Almaty, and ongoing clashes with the Green Brigade ultras.
The club is also facing unrest from its supporters; during a recent match against Dundee United at Tannadice, where Celtic lost 2-1, fans chanted for former manager Martin O’Neill. Daizen Maeda scored Celtic's only goal, while Krisztian Keresztes and Zac Sapsford scored for Dundee United.
Chief executive Michael Nicholson condemned recent violence, revealing that three Celtic colleagues were assaulted after Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final defeat by St Mirren, describing the incidents as unacceptable.
Despite the setbacks, Nicholson affirmed that the board's support for current manager Wilfried Nancy remains "absolutely solid," notwithstanding a difficult start to his tenure marked by four consecutive defeats.
