Peter Lawwell cites 'abuse and threats' as he quits as Celtic chairman
Peter Lawwell is standing down as the chairman of Celtic chairman at the end of this year, citing "abuse and threats" he finds "intolerable".
The club's board have been subject to heavy and increasing fan protests this season following a failure to qualify for the Champions League, a poor summer transfer window, a below-par start to the season, former manager Brendan Rodgers' resignation and an unprecedented AGM.
Non-executive director Brian Wilson will be promoted to interim chairman from the New Year until a permanent appointment is made.
Lawwell, who was Celtic chief executive for 18 years from 2003, told the club website it was "with sadness" that he was ending his three-year spell as chairman.
"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," he 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."
Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond added: "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.
"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."
Desmond also pointed out that Lawwell had overseen the building their training centre at Lennoxtown, the creation of the new facility at Barrowfield and the upgrading of Celtic Park.
Chief executive Michael Nicholson commented that it "is a sad day for Celtic" and that "the abuse and threats" directed towards Lawwell and his family "are completely unacceptable".
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