“Celtic compensates sexual abuse victim with a significant amount.”

Celtic Football Club has once again made headlines for a grim reason: the payment of a five-figure compensation to a victim of historical sexual abuse, bringing to a close a case that began just a month ago. This shocking development sheds light on an issue that haunts both sport and society, revealing the devastating impact that abuse can have on the lives of victims.

The man, who remains anonymous for legal reasons, filed a lawsuit alleging that he was abused by Frank Cairney, a coach at Celtic Boys Club, in 1989. Cairney, whose crimes had already been exposed in previous proceedings, was convicted on nine charges related to the abuse of young players during the 1980s and served four years in prison starting in February 2019. Despite initially denying responsibility, the club has now opted for an out-of-court settlement.

The psychological impact of the abuse has proven to be deep and lasting. The survivor described an internal struggle that has lasted almost four decades. “When people think of abuse, they often imagine a single act that happened once or that, because it occurred so long ago, should be gotten over. But that’s not how it works. It’s not like a physical injury – you can’t just move on until you feel better,” he stated. He also spoke of the persistent feeling of shame that accompanies him: “It’s a strange, confusing, and irritating feeling – you know that what happened wasn’t your fault, but at the same time, you feel responsible… and then you get angry with yourself for letting it affect you.”

The survivor further revealed that, at the time of the incidents, he sought help from various authority figures but was ignored. “In terms of the settlement, I feel like I have finally been heard, because right after the attacks I spoke with several authority figures, but no one listened or took significant action,” he said. He also expressed determination in seeking justice and encouraged other victims not to give up.

Legal documents submitted to the Session Court indicate that the abuses occurred in 1989. Richard Pitts, a partner at the Digby Brown law firm and a specialist in historical abuse cases, praised his client’s perseverance. Cairney, now 90 years old, was also identified in a subsequent examination as responsible for indecent assaults on three boys between 1978 and 1989.

Last year, a lawsuit was made public against Celtic presented by 24 victims of historical abuse, resulting in over £1 million in compensation. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Celtic FC previously claimed it had no connection to the boys’ club, asserting that it was a “separate entity.” However, the voices of survivors continue to gain strength, and the fight for justice remains an urgent necessity both in sports and in society.

This article first appeared in Apito Final.