Survivors of Celtic Boys Club abuse win seven-figure payout
Dozens of men who were sexually abused as youths when they played football for Celtic Boys Club have won a seven-figure compensation payout.
Celtic agreed the award after fighting a legal battle that lasted almost a decade, during which time some survivors of historical abuse passed away.
Thompsons Solicitors, which led a class action against the Glasgow football club, accused it of dragging out the case and making the battle for justice more complex than necessary.
It said 'justice has finally been achieved' as it confirmed about 70 per cent of cases had been settled, with further settlements expected in the coming weeks.
The Boys Club was established as a feeder team to the senior Celtic side in 1966 and the two clubs had close ties, sharing players, officials and premises.
The litigation relates to historical claims of sexual assault by convicted paedophiles Jim Torbett – the founder of the Boys Club – and Frank Cairney, a former coach.
Celtic had always insisted that it was not responsible because the Boys Club was an 'entirely different organisation'.
Lawyers acting for the former players, however, argued that the Boys Club and Celtic were 'intimately connected' and the senior club was 'vicariously liable' for the assaults.
Around 30 survivors who suffered sexual abuse while playing for Celtic Boys Club in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s lodged legal claims against Celtic after a judge gave the go-ahead for a US-style 'class action' group litigation in 2023.
While there have been other types of group proceedings cases in Scotland, the Celtic Plc Group Proceedings action broke new ground. Although common aspects of cases were pursued as a group, individual group members' rights to compensation for their specific injuries and losses were preserved.
'This litigation has been made far more complex and lengthy by the defender, while our clients have acted with resolute dignity throughout,' said Laura Connor, Partner and head of the Life Impact Team at Thompsons Solicitors.
'At long last they have achieved success and can take this compensation as confirmation that Celtic Boys Club was indeed inextricably linked to Celtic Football Club.'
Russell Findlay, the Scottish Conservative leader, said: 'There has long been abundant evidence of an organised network of predators using Celtic FC's Boys Club to sexually abuse children, yet victims were treated with pure contempt and forced to fight for justice over many long and painful years.
'It is tragic that some victims did not live to see this day. Victims of industrial-scale abuse in Scottish football were failed by the club and Scotland's justice system, but continue to be failed by the SNP government, which refuses to do the right thing and extend the remit of the child abuse inquiry.'
Thompsons Solicitors said that because a small number of cases have yet to be settled, the group litigation and individual cases remain active. The firm believes this case could pave the way for similar group actions in future.
Celtic FC issued an apology for historic sexual abuse at Celtic Boys Club, adding that it 'can confirm that a number of legal claims in the group proceedings against the club have been resolved. We are hopeful that settlement can be reached with the remaining group members shortly.
'For some time, we have sought to work with the group members' lawyers to reach a resolution. The club acknowledges the strength of the survivors of abuse who have come forward and hope that this resolution may help to bring them some closure.
'Celtic Football Club is appalled by any form of historic abuse and has great sympathy for those who suffered abuse and for their families. The club is very sorry that these events took place at Celtic Boys Club.
'The club takes this abuse extremely seriously because of the historic contacts between the two organisations.
'The abuse of young people is an abhorrent crime which has unfortunately affected many areas of society. The club continues to work with Scottish football to make it a safe place for all young people.'
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