Celtic sever ties with fan group after shareholder targeted by protestors at golf tournament

Celtic have confirmed they will cut ties with the Celtic Fans Collective after the club's largest shareholder, Dermot Desmond, was targeted during a protest at a golf tournament in St Andrews.

The 76-year-old businessman was taking part in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship pro-am on Saturday when tennis balls bearing an image of his face were thrown onto the course, forcing him to be escorted away by security.

Celtic have since confirmed that supporters found to have planned, facilitated or taken part in the protest will face an indefinite ban, while the club will also end its relationship with the group behind the action.

The incident marks another escalation in the ongoing dispute between sections of the Celtic support and the club's ownership, with transfer dealings and the team's European results among the issues causing frustration.

Celtic condemn ‘premeditated' protest against Dermot Desmond

Celtic's response was carried in a club statement reported by BBC Sport Scotland and the Associated Press, with the club describing the protest as a “significant and unacceptable escalation” that had been “discussed and planned in advance.”

The statement confirmed that Celtic would “no longer recognise the Celtic Fans Collective as a representative body speaking on behalf of Celtic supporters” and would end all future engagement with the group.

Celtic condemn fan protest as Desmond targeted at Alfred Dunhill https://t.co/FQ9ob0hZ2C

— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) October 4, 2026

The club said the incident had taken the dispute “beyond Celtic Park and beyond football, to the home of golf,” accusing those involved of disrupting an internationally recognised sporting event and bringing shame on Celtic.

Celtic also stressed that the reputation of its supporters “belongs to the entire Celtic family,” while insisting that no self-appointed group had the right to speak or act on behalf of the wider fanbase.

Fan group defends action as part of wider campaign

The Celtic Fans Collective responded by posting footage of the protest on its X account, with the Associated Press reporting that the group accused Desmond of effectively running the club while avoiding accountability to supporters.

The statement said that fans had used the opportunity to “send a message that this arrangement cannot continue,” presenting the protest as part of its wider opposition to Desmond's influence at Celtic.

Saturday's incident follows several previous flashpoints between supporters and the club's hierarchy, including last year's annual general meeting, which had to be abandoned amid fan unrest, and an earlier match against Dundee that was halted after tennis balls and oranges were thrown onto the pitch.

FGG says: Celtic's decision could deepen the divide with supporters

Celtic's decision to cut ties with the Fans Collective shows just how seriously the club views Saturday's protest, but it is unlikely to bring an end to the wider dispute between supporters and the boardroom.

With frustration over Desmond's role clearly running deep, the events at St Andrews could instead leave both sides even further apart, particularly if results and transfer activity continue to give fans reason for concern.