Celtic fans have targeted the club’s largest individual shareholder Dermot Desmond during a golf tournament in St Andrews, throwing tennis balls onto the course in a protest over the running of the Parkhead club.
The Irish businessman was competing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the Old Course on Saturday (3 October) when the protest took place at around 2pm.
Tennis balls carrying images of Desmond with his face scored out were thrown onto the 15th green while the 76-year-old was playing in the pro-am competition.
Footage shared on social media showed balls landing around Desmond as he stood on the green, before security intervened. Images from the course later showed him being accompanied by security.
Police Scotland confirmed officers were aware of the incident and said nobody had been injured.
A spokesperson said: “There were no reports of injuries. Enquiries are ongoing.”
The Celtic Fans Collective, an umbrella organisation representing a number of supporters’ groups shared footage from the protest.
The organisation said supporters had taken the opportunity to confront Desmond directly because of concerns about his influence at Celtic and what it regards as a lack of accountability.
It added: “Fans took the chance today to send a message that this arrangement cannot continue.”
The incident comes against the backdrop of a lengthy dispute between sections of Celtic’s support and the club’s hierarchy.
The Celtic Fans Collective emerged amid anger over recruitment, communication with supporters and Celtic’s failure to reach the Champions League league phase in 2025 following defeat by Kairat Almaty.
Relations deteriorated further following Brendan Rodgers’ departure last October, with supporters staging protests against the board and calling for changes at the top of the club.
The Collective has continued to raise concerns during 2026, including over recruitment, supporter engagement and corporate governance.
Representatives from the group met Celtic officials at Celtic Park on 22 September as part of attempts to improve engagement between the club and supporters.
Desmond has long been the most influential shareholder at Celtic and remains the club’s largest individual shareholder.
He is also a keen golfer and a regular participant in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which brings together professional golfers and amateur players from sport, entertainment and business.
The tournament is played across the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns before concluding at St Andrews.
Desmond has competed regularly since the event was launched and has twice won the team competition, in 2010 and again in 2024.
His sons Ross, Brett and Derry are also taking part in this year’s tournament.
Police said enquiries into Saturday’s incident are continuing.