PETER LAWWELL is stepping down as chairman of Celtic with effect from December 31.
Current non-executive director Brian Wilson will take up the role of interim chairman, until a permanent appointment is made.
The announcement was made the club as the champions prepared for a crucial Premiership game against Dundee United at Tannadice this evening.
It comes in the midst of turmoil on and off the pitch with the Hoops experiencing three consecutive defeats in the first three outings under new manager Wilfried Nancy.
Lawwell joined the club as Chief Executive in 2003 and served for 18 years in this role. He returned in 2023 as non-executive chairman to oversee board affairs.
Lawwell said: “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.”
Lawwell, speaking on the club website, continued: “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.”
Dermot Desmond, the club’s principal shareholder, commented: “I am personally very sorry to lose Peter as our Chairman, but I understand and respect his decision, in light of recent events and what he has endured.
“I want to pay tribute to Peter for all he has given Celtic over so many years. 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.
“Peter has also overseen the building of our training centre at Lennoxtown, the creation of the new facility at Barrowfield and the upgrading of Celtic Park, all of which were underpinned by the financial stability which has become the cornerstone of the Club under his leadership.
“Celtic is in a strong position to withstand whatever the future may throw at us.
“During Peter’s tenure, Celtic found a strong voice in Scottish football and, indeed, at European level, with his positions within European Football Clubs (previously European Club Association) reflecting the respect for Peter’s expertise as well as the Club’s history and governance.
“Peter’s knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the Club and our environment has served the club brilliantly over so many years. I thank Peter sincerely for all he has done and I wish him and his family nothing but the very best for the future.”
Chief Executive, Michael Nicholson added: “We are hugely disappointed that Peter is standing down as Chairman, particularly in these circumstances.
“This is a sad day for Celtic. The abuse and threats directed towards Peter, and the impact on his family, are completely unacceptable. Such conduct will never be tolerated by the Club.
“I hope that there will be respect for Peter’s privacy and family life moving forward, and I wish Peter and his family all the best for the future.
“A lifelong supporter, with Celtic in his blood, Peter gave everything to the Club, working tirelessly and standing up for the Club with determination, passion and strength. Every decision he made was taken in the best interests of the Club and our supporters.
“Under his leadership at the Club, there have been many achievements on and off the pitch, and, through both good times and hard times, Peter has always been there for his colleagues.
“Everyone at the Club will miss Peter, but we will always value the hugely significant and influential part he has played in Celtic’s story across the past 21 years. I would like to thank Peter for this contribution, on behalf of all of his colleagues at Celtic.
“I would also like to thank Brian Wilson for accepting the role of interim Chairman, taking over from Peter from January 1, 2026. We all look forward to working with Brian as the Board considers future composition and succession.”
There has been growing anger and fury among the element of the Celtic support and protests have been made before, during and after games this season.
Lawwell was forced to abandon the club’s AGM last month after unruly behaviour from a section of shareholders.
Brendan Rodgers resigned as manager in late October with former boss Martin O’Neill returning in an interim capacity, winning seven of his eight games in charge.
Frenchman Nancy took over on a two-and-a-half year contract, but has experienced defeat in his opening three outings, 2-1 to Hearts, 3-0 to AS Roma, both at Parkhead, and a dismal 3-1 loss to St Mirren in Sunday’s Premier Sports League Cup Final at Hampden.
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