From Golf · · 1m
Tennis balls target Celtic owner at St. Andrews
Celtic fans protest Dermot Desmond with tennis balls at golf event.
In brief
Celtic fans protest Dermot Desmond with tennis balls at golf event. Celtic Football Club severed ties with supporters group after fans threw tennis balls at billionaire owner at St. Andrews golf tournament. Originally reported by Golf.
Protest at St. Andrews
Soccer protesters threw tennis balls at Dermot Desmond during the 2026 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St. Andrews.
Desmond's role in Celtic
Dermot Desmond is an Irish billionaire and longtime majority shareholder of Celtic Football Club in Glasgow, Scotland.
Celtic Fans Collective statement
Celtic Fans Collective said Desmond used wealth to hide from supporters and accountability.
“Dermot Desmond has essentially been allowed to run Celtic Football Club whilst using his wealth to hide from supporters and accountability”
Celtic Football Club response
Celtic Football Club condemned the protest as premeditated and severed ties with the Celtic Fans Collective.
“The Club will no longer recognise the Celtic Fans Collective as a representative body speaking on behalf of Celtic supporters”
Protest impact
Individuals involved in protest will be banned indefinitely from Celtic Park.
“any individuals or groups who are established to be involved in planning, facilitating or participating in this action will be banned indefinitely from Celtic Park”
Protest context
The protest targeted Desmond during a golf pro-am event with business tycoons and celebrities.
Consequence
Celtic Football Club ended all engagement with Celtic Fans Collective after protest.
“The Club will no longer recognise the Celtic Fans Collective as a representative body speaking on behalf of Celtic supporters”
The short version
Celtic Football Club severed ties with supporters group after fans threw tennis balls at billionaire owner at St. Andrews golf tournament.
