Lawyers Declare ‘Justice Has Finally Been Achieved’ Following Landmark Agreement Celtic Football Club is set to pay out millions of pounds after reaching a settlement in a legal case concerning historical sexual abuse at Celtic Boys Club. Lawyers representing the survivors have confirmed that the majority of claims have been resolved, with further settlements expected in the coming weeks.

Approximately 30 former players launched legal action against Celtic PLC, seeking damages for the abuse they allegedly suffered while playing for the boys' club in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Thompsons Solicitors, the legal firm handling the case, announced that 70 per cent of the claims have been settled, with a total payout reaching a seven-figure sum.

Several former coaches and officials from Celtic Boys Club have been convicted in recent years of sexual offences against teenage players, with abuse spanning multiple decades.

Celtic’s Connection to the Boys Club and Legal Battle

Despite Celtic FC’s longstanding argument that Celtic Boys Club was an “entirely separate” entity, the survivors' legal team contended that the two organisations were "intimately connected." The boys’ club was originally established in 1966 as a feeder team for the senior Celtic side, and the two teams maintained close ties, sharing players, officials, and facilities.

In 2023, Scotland’s Court of Session allowed a US-style class action lawsuit to proceed under new Scottish group proceedings legislation. These legal provisions, introduced in 2020, enable groups of individuals with similar claims to pursue a collective case.

The lawsuit centred on historic abuse allegations involving Celtic Boys Club founder Jim Torbett and former coach Frank Cairney—both convicted paedophiles.

Convictions and Justice for Victims

Jim Torbett was found guilty in 2023 of four charges of sexually abusing a young player in the 1960s. The High Court in Inverness heard that the indecent assaults, which took place over more than a year, occurred in a car, a flat, and a toy shop in Glasgow. This followed a previous conviction in 2018, when Torbett was found guilty of abusing three boys between 1986 and 1994.

Frank Cairney, meanwhile, was due to stand trial in 2023 for allegations of indecent assault against three young players in the 1970s and 1980s. However, Glasgow Sheriff Court ruled that he was unable to participate due to health issues. In 2019, he had already been convicted of nine counts of sexually assaulting young footballers.

Legal Representatives and Political Response

Laura Connor, a partner at Thompsons Solicitors and head of the firm’s life impact team, 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.”

She added:

“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, strongly condemned the years of legal resistance from Celtic FC, stating:

“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.”

Celtic FC has been contacted for comment.