Celtic Football Club has condemned a tennis ball protest aimed at principal shareholder Dermot Desmond during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews on Saturday, October 3, 2026, leading the club to sever ties with the Celtic Fans Collective.
Dermot Desmond, the 76-year-old billionaire controlling shareholder of Celtic, was participating in a pro-am golf event at the Old Course when dozens of tennis balls bearing his crossed-out face were hurled onto the green of the 15th hole. Security personnel quickly escorted Desmond off the course. PGA Tour star Brooks Koepka, who was playing alongside Desmond as his partner, witnessed the disruption as balls bounced in all directions across the green.
Celtic Fans Collective Claims Responsibility for St Andrews Protest
The Celtic Fans Collective claimed responsibility for the demonstration, posting video footage and images on social media alongside a statement defending their actions. The supporters’ coalition argued that the club’s leadership structure avoids public scrutiny and fan input.
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.
Celtic Fans Collective, via The Guardian
Celtic Cuts Ties with Collective After St Andrews Protest
Celtic issued a strongly worded statement on Saturday evening condemning what it labeled a premeditated action planned in advance.
The club announced it would no longer recognize the Celtic Fans Collective as a representative body and would halt all engagement. Celtic stated that any individuals identified as having planned, facilitated, or participated in the disruption face an indefinite ban from Celtic Park. The club noted that this followed a pattern of behavior seen around the Stuttgart fixture earlier in the year, when constructive engagement was similarly accompanied by plans for disruptive action.
Celtic Football Club condemns in the strongest terms the deliberate disruption which took place today at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews. This was a premeditated action.
Celtic Football Club, via The Scotsman
The club emphasized that while peaceful protest and disagreement are permitted, crossing the line into deliberate disruption at an unrelated sporting event damaged the reputation built by generations of supporters. The organization added that those responsible brought shame upon the club and did not speak for the many thousands of supporters who express their views passionately, peacefully, and responsibly.
Police Investigate Incident as Celtic Tops Premiership
Scottish Police confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident, and enquiries remain ongoing. The protest comes alongside a complex backdrop for the Glasgow club, which currently sits at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, two points clear of rivals Rangers, despite losing their final three fixtures before the international break, including two defeats to Rangers and a 3-1 home loss to Ferencvaros in the Europa League. Last season, Martin O’Neill’s side secured a domestic double, claiming the Premiership title ahead of Hearts following a final-day decider.