Celtic fans criticised over treatment of director Lord Livingston

Celtic chairman Ian Bankier has condemned some Hoops fans' treatment of director Lord Livingston as "criminally racist".

An online petition calling for the Conservative peer's removal from the board has gathered almost 10,000 signatures from supporters unhappy with his decision to vote in favour of the Government's tax credit cuts.

The row came to a head at the club's AGM on Friday, with one shareholder claiming Livingston's "role in society is contrary to the ethos of the club".

But Bankier warned Celtic is "not a conduit for political statements and campaigns" as he rounded on those fans who have attacked Livingston on social media.

"The messages posted, in quite a few cases are criminally racist and in all cases the vocabulary chosen is base and highly abusive," he said. "And what sickens me to the core is that the campaign is conducted in the name of (Celtic founder) Brother Walfrid.

"Ian Livingston is a consummately able business executive. We are grateful that he is prepared to devote his time and considerable talents to the affairs of this club.

Our fans come from every quarter of society and share the common bond of supporting the team. We are not a conduit for political statements

"The fact that he also happens to be a member of the House of Lords creates no conflict of interest with the business of Celtic. We are a football club. We play football - and we are good at it.

"Our fans come from every quarter of society and share the common bond of supporting the team. We are not a conduit for political statements and campaigns.

"No fan or section of fans has the right to set up a stall that proclaims political intolerance in the name of what they invariably cite as their club. Our club is not available to anyone for that purpose.

"I condemn this activity and appeal to you to see it for what it is, because intolerance soon leads to hatred and hatred leads to a lot worse, as we well know."

Bankier later moved to clarify his remarks in a statement on the club's website.

He said: "Already there has been some media coverage of my comments relating to Ian Livingston and his proposed re-appointment and much of it has been wildly exaggerated and taken totally out of context. 

"I have not branded our supporters racist and it is outrageous to suggest that I would ever do that. I was only referring to a small number of specific comments which have been made on social media, which I believe are unacceptable, and I know Celtic supporters would agree with me.

"Celtic supporters are the lifeblood of the club and I am delighted to say the best in football, with the best of values."