Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has defended the Parkhead board after their rejection of a proposal to make the club a living wage employer was denounced as shameful by one shareholder at the club's AGM on Friday.
Jeanette Findlay of the Celtic Trust launched a measured but scathing attack, describing their decision not to back Proposal 11, which would cost Celtic £500,000 per year, as "the grubbiest" ever made by a Parkhead board which "shames you and shames us."
Celtic reported pre-tax profits of £9.74million for the year to June 30 on a 47.7 per cent rise in turnover to £75.8million.
The living wage rate is set to rise to £7.65 per hour next year.
Findlay was given a standing ovation by the majority of shareholders who also backed the proposal on a show of hands, after two other shareholders also spoke passionately in support.
Chairman Ian Bankier confirmed that the board recommended that shareholders vote against the resolution and a poll was called for which, with the proxy votes held by him, means it is almost certain to be rebuffed.
Speaking in the boardroom afterwards, Lawwell said: "It was very emotional and you have to respect the points of view but it is a very complicated issue.
"What I can say is this club is a first-class employer. We look after our people and their well-being, I don't think there would be any club or company in Britain that would look after them better.
"They are satisfied, we had a staff survey last year which showed that.
"The majority of staff who fall into that (living wage) category are on match-day, so it is second incomes for people, who top-up in stewarding and catering on a Saturday.
"It is an established payment structure which is independent to anybody, government or companies, and we have to be in control of our business."
During the meeting, Lawwell revealed that a vote on a potentially more controversial resolution which involved traditional rivals Rangers had been adjourned indefinitely.
The proposal was a call for the SFA to be reported to UEFA over its handling of the Ibrox crisis in 2012, when the Light Blues re-emerged in the bottom tier of Scottish football after their descent into administration and then liquidation.
However, Lawwell, who was unanimously voted back on to the Celtic board along with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond, said: "We spoke to the requisitions or a group of them beforehand and they were satisfied with what we had to tell them and agreed to adjourn it indefinitely.
"It is off the agenda for the foreseeable future. What was said will remain private."
Lawwell also revealed that Celtic have hired a Dutch lawyer to investigate complaints from Hoops fans following the disorder which occurred in Amsterdam city centre before Celtic's Champions League clash with Ajax last week.
Two Celtic supporters are still being held in custody while a further six have to return to face charges.
Lawwell said: "We've received numerous complaints from supporters which are credible and have substance.
"We have engaged a Dutch lawyer to review the complaints, and those with merit will be taken up on behalf of the club and supporters to the relevant authorities.
"We're also in contact with the lawyers of the two fans still being held in Amsterdam, and are trying to organise a visit from the families to Amsterdam.
"The police appear - and this is all under investigation - to police the situation differently to the way we police the situation here."
A series of issues were addressed in video recordings that were played at the start of the meeting and during the meeting itself with Lawwell insisting that league reconstruction has stabilised Scottish football - while admitting he had a duty to his club and the national game to continue to explore alternative playing environments.
He said: "I think we have a duty to do that, not just for Celtic but for Scottish football.
"The way the world has gone in terms of media values, which are driving the success of major leagues around the world, in a country of five million people it is very difficult to bridge that gap.
"So I think we all have a responsibility to continually look at the playing environment in Europe and make sure that if there is change, and I think there will be change in the coming years, that Celtic and Scottish football play a part in that."
Meanwhile, Lawwell revealed he was still awaiting responses from the authorities after making an application to Glasgow City Council to develop a safe standing area at Celtic Park.
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