Celtic Boys Football Club Sex Abuse Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: A judge has ruled that former Celtic Boys Club members can pursue compensation claims against the Celtic Football Club.
- Why: The Celtic Boys Club members say they endured child sex abuse when they were involved with the organisation.’
- Where: The Celtic Boys Club class action lawsuit is pending in a Scotland court.
A judge has ruled that nearly two dozen former Celtic Boys Club members can pursue a compensation claim against the football club over allegations of sex abuse within the organisation.
Celtic FC previously argued against the action, maintaining that it was separate from the Boys Club. However, the players argued that Celtic FC and the Boys Club were “intimately connected.”
“Having considered parties’ position on the supposed permission application, I am satisfied that the relevant criteria in granting this application has been established and I can exercise my discretion to grant the application,” the judge, Lord Arthurson, said. “The averments which the pursuers offer to prove set out a background in respect that each player was with Celtic BC when they were subject to sexual assaults and when they were under the supervision and control of these individuals.”
Celtic Boys Club Sex Abuse Background
At least three men associated with Celtic FC or BC have reportedly been charged with sex abuse claims by Celtic BC members.
In 2019, Frank Cairney was convicted of nine charges of molesting young boys at football clubs, including the under-16s team at Celtic Boys Club, between 1965 and 1986. He was sent to jail for four years based on these sex abuse convictions.
In 2018, Boys Club founder Jim Torbett was convicted and jailed for six years for sexually abusing three boys. Torbett founded the Celtic Boys’ Club in 1966. Also in 2018, former Celtic Boys Club chairman and coach Gerald King was convicted of abusing boys at a school. He was given three years’ probation for his offenses.
Celtic Boys Club was created as a separate entity from the Celtic Football Club. However, the two entities have reportedly been closely linked, and the Boys Club has served as a feeder group for the Football Club, producing Celtic players such as Roy Aitken, Tommy Burns and Paul McStay.
Survivors’ Representative Calls Class Action Decision a ‘Watershed Moment’
“The court has sent a clear message to Celtic FC that it will not countenance the club’s continued efforts to engage delay tactics and hide behind legal technicalities,” said Patrick McGuire, a partner with Thompsons Solicitors, which is leading the legal team representing the sex abuse survivors.
“This is a watershed moment,” he continued. “Celtic must now face up to [their] responsibilities and immediately begin meaningful discussions towards ensuring that every survivor receives full financial justice and compensation.”
Celtic declined to comment about the decision due to the “ongoing legal proceedings.”
In 2020, after a sixth Celtic Boys Club coach was caught up in new child sex abuse claims, Celtic stated that they were “appalled” and “very sorry” that there was a history of such allegations in the club.
“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 said.
Do you think Celtic Football Club should be held accountable for sex abuse that allegedly occurred within the Celtic Boys Club organization? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
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