Sports Evolve
If the upcoming civil lawsuit is successful, victims from the USA and Australia may seek compensation from Celtic FC, according to a Celtic Boys Club survivor.
If Celtic is proven to be responsible for the abuse at the defunct Boys Club, Gordon Woods told the Scottish Daily Express that there were other survivors both in the UK and abroad who may file a claim.
According to Mr. Woods, it would unleash a wave of class actions brought by victims of abuse at the hands of the Celtic Boys Club in the US and Australia for acts that occurred between 1967 and 2005.
In response to a Civil Action Claim filed by over 30 people about alleged historical abuse, Celtic FC will make a second appearance on March 4 before the Supreme Court in Edinburgh.
The victim claimed to be aware of one example of abuse in the US involving a New Jersey law firm that was present while the Scottish game was being played.
As Celtic Boys Club has participated in multiple tours to the US and Australia over the years, when boys from those countries came into touch with coaches, Mr. Woods predicted that if the club loses, there may be additional claims.
One of the possible US instances dates back to a tour of New Jersey, during which it is said that the Celtic directors traveled there to meet with the boy’s parents and the US police.
When the employers got back to Scotland, according to Mr. Woods, they had the offender “resign from the Boy’s Club with immediate effect.”
He said that this might end in “trouble” for the club and said that attorneys from the US and Australia are “sitting and waiting” for the outcome of the class action.
Numerous sports clubs and organizations in the USA have faced sexual assault cases in the past, and millions of dollars in damages have been granted.
The survivor said: “It’s not just Thompsons that has clients, there are other solicitors like Digby Brown. They have spoken to several victims who have gotten in touch with me. Digby Brown will launch their own class action.
“This is the first class action to take place, if Thompsons are successful, and I have every confidence they will be, I’m quite sure other solicitors will fall in place and launch their own actions. We are well aware of victims in America in New Jersey, for example.”
Under the new Scottish laws, the attorneys are launching a “class action” case in the US model. Because their claims are similar, the survivors will band together to file a single lawsuit in the Court of Session.
Celtic FC has previously said on the subject: “Given the ongoing legal proceedings, it is not appropriate for us to provide any comment. However, we would reiterate that the club is dealing with these sensitive matters in a responsible manner and in conjunction with its advisers.”
