{
  "id": 11724608,
  "title": "Desmond targeted by Celtic fan protest at Alfred Dunhill",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/desmond-targeted-by-celtic-fan-protest-at-alfred-dunhill-11724608",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T16:44:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/desmond-targeted-celtic-fan-protest-162502086.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At the Alfred Dunhill Links golf tournament in St Andrews, Celtic's largest shareholder Dermot Desmond faced a protest from Celtic fans. Tennis balls adorned with his image were thrown towards him on the 15th hole, prompting security to escort him off the course. The Celtic Fans Collective subsequently issued a statement condemning Desmond, alleging that he has been permitted to manage the club while evading supporters and accountability. The fans aimed to communicate that such behavior is no longer acceptable. Desmond, who holds the majority of shares in the Scottish Premiership club, has faced criticism for the team's performance in Europe and its transfer dealings. Following Brendan Rodgers' resignation earlier in the previous season, Desmond held him responsible for many of the issues that plagued the 2025-26 campaign. At Celtic's AGM last November, which had to be halted due to fan unrest, Desmond's son Ross spoke on his behalf, defending his father, a devoted Celtic supporter, and vowing that the board would not be intimidated by \"aggressive and irrational\" criticism. Desmond further criticized a faction of fans over recent events that led to the banishment of the Green Brigade ultras group, stating that \"those people are bullies.\"",
  "summary": "Celtic's largest shareholder Dermot Desmond is targeted in a protest at the Alfred Dunhill Links golf tournament in St Andrews as tennis balls were thrown towards him.",
  "key_points": [
    "Celtic fan protest targets Dermot Desmond at Alfred Dunhill Links.",
    "Tennis balls with Celtic imagery thrown at him on 15th hole.",
    "Celtic Fans Collective condemns Desmond's club management."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Desmond targeted by Celtic fan protest at Alfred Dunhill",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/desmond-targeted-by-celtic-fan-protest-at-alfred-dunhill",
        "published": "2026-10-03T16:24:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}