Celtic ban protesters after Desmond targeted at Alfred Dunhill Links
Celtic Football Club announced it will indefinitely ban anyone proven to have planned, facilitated or taken part in a protest aimed at its largest shareholder Dermot Desmond during the Alfred Dunhill Links tournament in St Andrews. The protest involved tennis balls bearing the 76‑year‑old’s face being thrown onto the 15th‑hole green, after which security escorted Desmond off the course.
Details of the protest
Tennis balls with pictures of Desmond’s face, scored out, were hurled onto the green of the 15th hole of the pro‑am competition. Images released later show security personnel guiding the 76‑year‑old off the fairway amid a crowd of onlookers.
The club described the incident as “pre‑meditated”, adding: “This was a premeditated action.” It said the protest had been discussed and planned in advance, underscoring the seriousness of the breach.
Club's response and fallout
Celtic issued a statement condemning the episode in the strongest terms and announced an indefinite ban on anyone established to be involved. It also declared it will no longer recognise the Celtic Fans Collective as a representative body and will cease all engagement with the Collective.
Earlier in the day the Celtic Fans Collective released its own statement, saying: “Dermot Desmond has essentially been allowed to run Celtic Football Club whilst using his wealth to hide from supporters and accountability. Fans took the chance today to send a message that this arrangement cannot continue.”
Desmond is the club’s largest individual shareholder and has faced criticism for the side’s lack of progress in Europe and for an underwhelming transfer policy. He previously blamed former manager Brendan Rodgers for many of the problems that marred the start of the 2025‑26 campaign.
At Celtic’s annual general meeting last November, Desmond’s son Ross read a statement defending his father as a “lifelong and passionate” Celtic supporter and vowed the board would not be “bullied by aggressive and irrational” criticism. The defence also extended to chairman Peter Lawwell and chief executive Michael Nicholson, with Ross describing attempts to dehumanise and vilify them as “shameful”.
Desmond later criticised a section of fans over a recent incident that led to the Green Brigade ultras group being banned, calling those supporters “bullies”.