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The Independent
01-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Celtic FC sorry as seven-figure payout agreed in Boys Club historical abuse case
Celtic FC has apologised for historic sexual abuse at Celtic Boys Club following a seven-figure payout for legal claims. Thompsons Solicitors is acting for around 30 former Celtic Boys Club players in a group proceeding and said around 70% of the cases have been settled by Celtic Plc. The case relates to abuse at the youth club – which was not formally affiliated with Celtic FC – by convicted paedophiles James Torbett and Frank Cairney. Celtic FC said in a statement: '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.' Both Celtic and Thompsons' solicitor said they hope for rapid settlement of further cases. Laura Connor, partner at Thompsons Solicitors, said: 'Our clients trusted us to fight for them on these difficult cases and ensure their voices were heard. 'This litigation has been made far more complex and lengthy by the defender, while our clients have acted with resolute dignity throughout. '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.' A judge previously gave the go-ahead for the group legal action at Scotland's highest civil court, the Court of Session in Edinburgh. Lawyers acting for Celtic Plc had argued in court that the action should not be allowed to proceed, arguing the boys club was an entirely separate entity, but judge Lord Arthurson ruled the case could go ahead. Celtic FC's statement added: '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.' It continued: '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.' Group proceedings are similar to US class action style actions and were brought into law in Scotland in 2020.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Celtic FC sorry as seven-figure payout agreed in Boys Club historical abuse case
Celtic FC has apologised for historic sexual abuse at Celtic Boys Club following a seven-figure payout for legal claims. Thompsons Solicitors is acting for around 30 former Celtic Boys Club players in a group proceeding and said around 70% of the cases have been settled by Celtic Plc. The case relates to abuse at the youth club – which was not formally affiliated with Celtic FC – by convicted paedophiles James Torbett and Frank Cairney. Celtic FC said in a statement: '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.' Both Celtic and Thompsons' solicitor said they hope for rapid settlement of further cases. Laura Connor, partner at Thompsons Solicitors, said: 'Our clients trusted us to fight for them on these difficult cases and ensure their voices were heard. 'This litigation has been made far more complex and lengthy by the defender, while our clients have acted with resolute dignity throughout. '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.' A judge previously gave the go-ahead for the group legal action at Scotland's highest civil court, the Court of Session in Edinburgh. Lawyers acting for Celtic Plc had argued in court that the action should not be allowed to proceed, arguing the boys club was an entirely separate entity, but judge Lord Arthurson ruled the case could go ahead. Celtic FC's statement added: '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.' It continued: '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.' Group proceedings are similar to US class action style actions and were brought into law in Scotland in 2020.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Celtic child abuse: SPL club must pay millions to survivors
A seven-figure payout has been agreed for a lawsuit over claims of historical sexual abuse at Celtic Boys Club, a law firm has said. Thompsons Solicitors, which is acting for around 30 former Celtic Boys Club players, said around 70 per cent of the cases had been settled by Celtic Plc and that the firm expected further settlements in the coming weeks. The case relates to abuse at the youth club – which was not formally affiliated with Celtic FC – by convicted paedophiles James Torbett and Frank Cairney. Laura Connor, partner at Thompsons Solicitors, said: 'Our clients trusted us to fight for them on these difficult cases and ensure their voices were heard. 'This litigation has been made far more complex and lengthy by the defender, while our clients have acted with resolute dignity throughout. '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.' A judge previously gave the go-ahead for the group legal action at Scotland's highest civil court, the Court of Session in Edinburgh. Lawyers acting for Celtic Plc had argued in court that the action should not be allowed to proceed, saying the boys club was an entirely separate entity, but judge Lord Arthurson ruled the case could go ahead. Celtic FC, who have previously said they are 'appalled by any form of historic abuse', have yet to comment on the latest developments. Group proceedings are similar to US class actions and were brought into law in Scotland in 2020. Celtic were one of several UK clubs at the centre of football's sexual abuse scandal which erupted in 2016. Manchester City, Chelsea, Southampton and Crewe Alexandra were among the other teams implicated, with a number of those who complained of abuse there also reaching out of court settlements. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Sky News
01-04-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
Seven-figure settlement agreed in Celtic Boys Club abuse cases
Around 20 legal claims of historical abuse at Celtic Boys Club have been settled for a seven-figure sum, a law firm has announced. Thompsons Solicitors is acting on behalf of around 30 former players amid a US-style class action lawsuit against Celtic Plc for damages. About 70% of those cases have now been settled, with Thompsons Solicitors expecting further settlements in the coming weeks. Celtic had indicated back in September 2023 that they were seeking to settle the legal claims after a judge previously gave the go-ahead for group litigation to proceed. The action relates to historical abuse at the youth club - which was not formally affiliated with Celtic FC - by convicted paedophiles James Torbett and Frank Cairney. Torbett was the founder of the club, while Cairney was a former coach. Laura Connor, partner and head of the life impact team at Thompsons Solicitors, said the firm's clients had wanted their voices to be heard. Speaking to Sky News' Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies, Ms Connor said the settlements had been "decades in the making". She added: "For a number of years these cases have been defended and much of that has been made public - the approach taken by Celtic in distancing themselves from Celtic Boys Club. "And that's really been the main issue throughout these cases. "There are convictions. We know that our clients were abused as they have told us. "The cases have centred on us proving that Celtic were responsible for the boys' club and the coaches at the boys' club. "Whilst there haven't been any formal admissions in that respect, our clients can certainly take now that the compensation they have been awarded as a reflection of that relationship now being accepted." Celtic Boys Club was established as a feeder team to the senior Celtic side in 1966. Celtic repeatedly insisted they were a separate entity from the youth club, however, lawyers acting on behalf of the victims argued both were "intimately connected" as they shared players, kit, officials and premises. A shameful stain on British football Victims at the heart of the Celtic Boys Club scandal feel Celtic Plc has compounded their trauma by creating a protracted legal battle. Lawyers acting for 30 men say this US-style class action settlement is an inference that Celtic has accepted responsibility for The Boys Club and the actions of the paedophile coaches, despite arguing for years it was entirely separate. One survivor told me: "No sum of money can undo the pain and hurt I have carried for decades. "It (the settlement) shows the pain Celtic boys club was willing to inflict by dragging it out." It's not over yet. Twenty-two victims had their case settled today but eight remain outstanding. Sources say they are confident of concluding the entire saga in the coming months. The Celtic Boys Club has been a shameful stain on British football. It is an example of the very worst abuses in our nation's history that went unchallenged for decades. The sex abusers have been jailed. But the hangover continues with the men being dragged through a gruelling process where the outcome, according to insiders, is entirely predictable. Following a hearing at Scotland's highest civil court, the Court of Session in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson gave the go-ahead for the group action to proceed. Group proceedings are similar to US class actions and were brought into law in Scotland in 2020. Ms Connor described the compensation as a "significant moment". However, she noted: "I don't think anyone is celebrating a successful outcome here because the compensation doesn't change what has happened to them, or the impact of that, but hopefully it can be used positively now to move forward." Speaking about the length of time it has taken for Celtic to settle the claims, Ms Connor added: "I would say that from what I have seen, it has made the injuries worse because it has gone on for a number of years. "They have felt as though they've not been believed, they've not been accepted, and that efforts have been made to avoid them as individuals being compensated." Celtic FC previously said they were "appalled by any form of historical abuse".
