Celtic condemn fan protest as Desmond targeted at Alfred Dunhill

Dermot Desmond was escorted off the course by security [PA Media] Celtic say they will "indefinitely ban" anyone "established to be involved in planning, facilitating or participating" in a protest against the club's largest shareholder Dermot Desmond at the Alfred Dunhill Links golf tournament in St Andrews. Tennis balls with pictures of the 76-year-old's face scored out were thrown on to the green of the 15th hole of the pro-am competition, with images showing Desmond later having to be escorted off the course by security. The statement from the club "condemns in the strongest terms" the incident, which is said was "discussed and planned in advance". "This was a premeditated action," it added. "Accordingly, the club will no longer recognise the Celtic Fans Collective as a representative body speaking on behalf of Celtic supporters and will cease all engagement with the Collective." Earlier in the day, the Celtic Fans Collective released a statement, along with footage and images of the incident. It read: "Dermot Desmond has essentially been allowed to run Celtic Football Club whilst using his wealth to hide from supporters and accountability. Fans took the chance today to send a message that this arrangement cannot continue." Desmond is the largest individual shareholder of the Scottish Premiership club but has been criticised in recent seasons for the club's lack of progress in Europe and underwhelming transfer business. In the wake of Brendan Rodgers' resignation at the beginning of last season, Desmond blamed the former manager for much of the problems that marred the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign. Then at Celtic's annual general meeting last November, which had to be abandoned due to fan unrest , Desmond's son Ross read out a statement on his behalf. He began by defending his father, a "lifelong and passionate" Celtic supporter, and vowed that the board would not be "bullied by aggressive and irrational" criticism. The Irishman defended then chairman Peter Lawwell and chief executive Michael Nicholson, claiming attempts to "dehumanise and vilify them are shameful". Desmond went on to criticise a section of fans over a recent incident that led to the Green Brigade ultras group being banned and added: "Those people are bullies."