Celtic settles majority of sex abuse claims, court told

At a hearing in the Court of Session, it was confirmed that compensation has been paid in 24 out of 28 claims raised in ongoing group proceedings. Lord Arthurson, who is presiding over the case, was told that both parties are hopeful the remaining four claims can also be resolved without the need for further litigation.

Ewen Campbell, representing Celtic, told the court that the club wished to conclude the outstanding matters within the existing framework of the group litigation.

He said that it would not be in the interests of Celtic FC to allow these matters to continue or to be heard in fresh actions outside of the group proceedings.

In response, Lord Arthurson fixed a final hearing for the week beginning 1 September. 

He said: “I am very pleased to hear that everybody is agreed that the proceedings have been effective. With regard to the four that are left, my inclination is to fix a final hearing in this case for the week beginning 1 September.

“That will be the final hearing in the case - that will be a case management hearing. At that stage, you will have had the opportunity to wrap up the matters that require to be wrapped up, discussions can continue actively and thereafter the court would listen very favourably to the motion that is made.”

Permission for the survivors to sue Celtic was granted in 2022, after Lord Arthurson accepted arguments that Celtic Boys Club and Celtic FC were “intimately connected”. At the time, lawyers for the club denied any formal link, arguing that the two were separate entities.

The claims are being brought under group proceedings against Celtic FC PLC.

The abuse took place at Celtic Boys Club, a youth team that was not officially affiliated with the club but whose close links with Celtic FC have been a central focus of the case.

During earlier hearings, Ian Mackay KC, acting for the claimants, said: “Celtic Boys Club was intimately connected to Celtic Football Club - it was branded as being closely connected to Celtic Football Club. Players played in Celtic strips and wore blazers which were virtually identical to those worn by Celtic FC players.

“Football kit, holdalls and training gear were provided by Celtic Football Club. The pursuers’ understanding was that they were playing for the boys club of Celtic Football Club.”

He continued: “Celtic Football Club exercised control over who played for Celtic Boys Club because scouts recruited players who they considered were good enough to play for Celtic Football Club and diverted them to Celtic Football Club,” Mr Mackay had told the hearing.

“The Boys Club was a nursery for senior team players. Celtic Boys Club was in effect what could be now known as the academy of Celtic Football Club. Articles about Celtic Boys Club appeared regularly in the Celtic View, the club’s newspaper – and the club was referred to as being part of the Celtic family.

“Celtic is vicariously liable for assaults.”