Their name grows more toxic with each passing day.
Sponsors will be taking a very close look at the existing contracts they have with
Celtic and I'd be more than a little surprised if quite a few of them don't go for the TERMINADO option at renewal time.
Reputational damage in business is a very difficult thing to overcome. Celtic have been stigmatised forever, and will always be associated with paedophilia and attempting to cover it up.
Especially when sponsors may have to contribute to any CSA compensation claims against the SFA (if I'm reading this correctly)
https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/media/...abuse-in-scottish-football_interim-report.pdf
The Interim Report of the Independent Review of
Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football
15th June 2018
Commercial sponsorship
3.42 It is recognised that achieving the necessary improvements to safeguard young people cannot
be done without adequate funding (long term) which is ring-fenced and targeted.
3.43 The Independent Review is also very aware that Government funding (through sportscotland)
by far does not comprise the “lions share” of investment in the Scottish FA. The contribution of
sponsorship and commercial investment is considerably more substantial.
3.44 The Review however do not see a total distinction between safeguarding issues and commercial
investment and sponsorship – that somehow the commercial enterprise of today’s game is all about
“hard cash” (underpinning performance and sporting achievement) and therefore unrelated to other
vital aspects of delivering football and sustaining the sport in Scotland. Commercial thinking and
investment strategy needs to take account of this in attracting future investment and
dispersing/deploying funds.
3.45 In other words, there is an ethical dimension to investment and sponsorship that cannot and
should not be ignored - either by those within football engaged in attracting sponsorship and
investment or by potential or actual commercial sponsors themselves.
3.46 The Review takes a strong view that failure to improve the capacity of all of Scottish football to
protect and safeguard young people should have investment consequences. We are minded that
commercial investors should be alert to this. The Independent Review would urge all potential
investors to seriously consider these issues as part of examining investment conditions and ensure
that these are included in fulfilling their agenda for ethical and social responsibility.
3.47 Allegations of non-recent sexual abuse in Scottish football have scandalised the world of
football and the wider Scottish public. Confidence in the game and its organisation has
understandably been damaged. This will also not have escaped commercial sponsors. Efforts to
singularly and genuinely improve the protection and participation of young people may in part act to
restore public and commercial confidence. Without this the Review would question why commercial
sponsors would wish to invest in a game which has not proven itself dedicated and motivated to
protect its young players.
RECOMMENDATION 18
Commercial sponsors should be made alert to safeguarding issues and arrangements in the
Scottish FA, ANA's and Clubs as part of their ethical and social responsibility agenda concerning
investment and sponsorship.
As such any activity to attract sponsorship, investment and funding should factor in the efforts
and achievements of Scottish football in ensuring the protection and wellbeing of young people in
all aspects of the game to reinforce investor confidence.
Where possible commercial sponsorship should be sought for individual safeguarding projects or
initiatives within a clear framework of ethical investment in the game.
4.163 The Review remains determined to ensure that the experiences and sacrifices of those who
have come forward are not lost but, instead, are openly understood as forming part of the history of
football in our country. This may be an aspect of the legacy of the sport which many would want to
play down or move on from but the Review is firmly of the view that lessons identified should lead
to permanent positive change. The greatest memorial to the failures of the past is to ensure that
such events are not repeated. This issue will be evident more substantially in the Final Report of the
Independent Review when it is submitted and published.
4.164 However, the Review also finds that a more concrete response is required. To support people
who have experienced sexual abuse in Scottish football is an emphatic and constructive testimonial
to their experiences and a tangible way of making reparation. The Review concludes therefore that
Scottish football should consider how this can best be done including consideration of the creation
of a fund which might underwrite support and assistance for those who have been personally
affected by sexual abuse in Scottish football and indeed those in Scottish football who are
experiencing other mental health challenges and issues. The Review sees no reason why this might
not also be contributed to by commercial donation and sponsorship (see Recommendation 14).
RECOMMENDATION 94
The Independent Review recommends that the Scottish FA and clubs and organisations in Scottish
football consider the establishment of a permanent testimonial to the experiences of and impact
on those affected including consideration of the creation of a fund which might underwrite
support and assistance for those who have been personally affected by sexual abuse in Scottish
football and indeed those in Scottish football who are experiencing other mental health
challenges and issues. The Review sees no reason why this might not also be contributed to or
underwritten by commercial donation and sponsorship.