Celtic Settles Historical Abuse Case with Five-Figure Payout

Celtic Football Club has settled a historical sexual abuse case by paying a five-figure sum to a victim just one month after the legal action began. The unnamed man claims he was assaulted by Frank Cairney, a coach at Celtic Boys Club, in 1989. Cairney, previously convicted of nine charges of abusing young footballers in the 1980s, was sentenced to four years in prison in February 2019. The victim expressed that the abuse left him with a profound sense of shame that has persisted for nearly four decades. "When people think of abuse, they often think of one act that happened one time...you can't just limp on until you get better," he stated, emphasizing the mental toll of such experiences. He recounted feelings of confusion and anger, noting that despite knowing he was not at fault, he still felt responsible for the events. The victim also highlighted a lack of response from authority figures when he reported Cairney shortly after the abuse occurred, saying, "In terms of the settlement, I feel like I've finally been heard..." He encouraged others facing similar situations not to give up on seeking justice. Richard Pitts, a partner at Digby Brown legal firm, who represented the victim, expressed pride in the client's perseverance throughout the case. The legal documents submitted to the Court of Session confirmed the allegations against Cairney, shedding light on the long-lasting impact of such trauma.

Source: BBC Sport - 2026-03-30

• celtic-glasgow
• football