Celtic Football Club Faces New Legal Action in Boys Club Sex Abuse Scandal
Celtic Football Club is once again facing legal action related to the Boys Club sex abuse scandal. A new claimant has come forward, alleging that he was sexually assaulted by former coach Frank Cairney in the late 1980s when he was around 14 years old. This marks the 29th compensation claim in connection to the historic abuse at Celtic Boys Club, which served as a feeder team for the Glasgow giants. The claimant has initiated legal proceedings seeking a significant compensation payout through the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
The latest legal action is part of a series of historic abuse cases linked to Celtic Boys Club. Digby Brown Solicitors, representing the new claimant, have confirmed that the legal action has been raised against Celtic FC. The firm's Partner, Richard Pitts, emphasized the importance of survivors taking their time to come to terms with the abuse they suffered and make decisions about seeking justice. Digby Brown is currently investigating allegations of historic abuse associated with Celtic Boys Club, providing full support to the claimant as the legal process unfolds.
Last year, Celtic settled a group of historic abuse cases with former Boys Club players, reaching a seven-figure agreement under Scotland's new class-action rules. However, despite these settlements, additional cases involving abuse by individuals like Jim Torbett, Frank Cairney, and Jim McCafferty have emerged. Legal teams anticipate reaching further settlements in ongoing cases tied to the decades when the Boys Club operated, spanning from the 1960s to the 1990s. Cairney and Torbett have been convicted of child sex offenses, with Cairney serving a jail sentence in 2019 for assaulting players in the 1970s and 80s.
The abuse at Celtic Boys Club was exposed by the Daily Record in 1996, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of founder Jim Torbett for sex abuse crimes. Subsequently, former kitman Jim McCafferty, another perpetrator, left the club amidst the unfolding scandal. Celtic FC initially claimed that the Boys Club was a separate entity but later issued an apology for the historic abuse in 2020. The club has been approached for comment on the latest legal action related to the Boys Club sex abuse scandal.