I’ve suffered the same abuse as Peter Lawwell at Celtic, it’s ‘horrific’ and ‘intolerable’
Peter Lawwell suffered “horrific abuse” from Celtic fans and was forced to have security guards surrounding him “day and night”.
That is according to ex-Aberdeen, Aston Villa, and Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who has given his reaction to Lawwell stepping down as Celtic chairman.
Celtic fans have been protesting for the board to step down this season, with supporters believing they have not shown enough ambition at the club.
Supporters disrupted Celtic’s AGM, causing it to be abandoned after an hour, in a show of anger towards the club’s hierarchy.
Keith Wyness shocked by Peter Lawwell abuse
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – says that Lawwell has suffered “intolerable abuse.“
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that the abuse went “too far.”
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, I know Peter well. I mean, look, he’s had horrific abuse over the years. I think his house was set on fire at some stage. And now he’s saying it’s just the intolerable abuse he’s getting.
“I mean, he’s had to have security guards around his house day and night. That’s wrong. And it really is very poor. And there’s no excuse for that from any fan base to do things like that. And I’ve seen it in football enough times.
“I’ve been the victim of a number of situations like that. And it’s not just me. Many people have seen it in different parts of the game, in different countries. And it’s the ugly side of football when people just, they go too far.”
Celtic board could face further fan unrest
The Celtic board’s handling of Wilfried Nancy’s arrival in Glasgow, has increased the pressure on the hierarchy to resign.
Supporters will be demanding the board back Nancy in the January transfer window, with the club also potentially losing captain Callum McGregor.
McGregor has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia following Brendan Rodgers’ appointment as Al Qadsiah boss.