A landmark settlement has been agreed in five years of historical abuse at Celtic Boys Club. This popular youth football organization has come under immediate and heavy fire after a number of senior figures have been jailed for sexually abusing teenage players. The club was very much a grassroots effort growing organically with little formal connection to Celtic Football Club. Yet for almost the last decade it has been mired in a legal dispute.
About 30 survivors, who say they suffered sexual abuse while competing for the Boys Club, have filed suit. They are doing so with the support of new Scottish legislation aimed at addressing long-sought historic abuse claims. Thompsons Solicitors, which frequently acts for these clients, brought us the truly thrilling story. Wow — now 70 percent of the claims have been settled, totaling well into the seven figures! We hope you’ll join them in celebrating this hard-won victory and justice finally being brought home for their clients.
Both Thompsons Solicitors have highlighted the resilience of the survivors during this long and sometimes painful journey. Laura Connor, a representative of the firm, stated:
“Our clients trusted us to fight for them on these difficult cases and ensure their voices were heard.” – Laura Connor of Thompsons Solicitors
Celtic Football Club is committed to addressing this issue in order to better understand the scope of the problem. Most notably, they acknowledge the deep historical connections between the two groups. As a club, we are disgusted by any abuse. It expresses deep sorrow for the students’ and staff’s deaths and the heartache caused to their families. In announcing the settlement, Celtic expressed its desire to see these cases resolved once and for all, recognizing the suffering that survivors had lived through.
As the settlements move forward, additional resolutions from the settlements will be forthcoming in the next weeks and months. Celtic hopes to reach a settlement with the other class members in the near future. In working alongside Scottish football to foster the safest environment for all young athletes, they are doing a commendable thing.
Laura Connor commented on the complexities of the litigation process, adding:
“This litigation has been made far more complex and lengthy by the defender, while our clients have acted with resolute dignity throughout.” – Laura Connor of Thompsons Solicitors
The recent tide of developments coalesces to form an important healing step for anyone affected by the abuses that existed in the Boys Club. Celtic Football Club, together with Thompsons Solicitors, are committed to ensuring that similar incidents do not occur in future. Collectively, though, they are helping to make the playing field a safer place for young people to participate in organized sports.
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