The report says dozens of tennis balls landed around the Old Course green during the tournament’s third round, with stickers showing a crossed-out image of Desmond. The group is said to have claimed responsibility while insisting the action targeted his role at Celtic, rather than the golf event or Brooks Koepka, who was playing alongside him.
That distinction is central to the dispute. The club reportedly condemned the decision to stage a football-related protest at an unrelated sporting occasion, describing it as a premeditated escalation.
Celtic are reported to have said that anyone who planned, enabled or participated in the protest could be banned from Celtic Park indefinitely. The club also reportedly ended all contact with the supporters’ group, arguing that it could no longer credibly represent the wider Celtic support.
The reported response marks a sharp shift from dialogue towards exclusion. The collective’s criticism focuses on ownership accountability, while Celtic’s position centres on the limits of protest and the protection of other events from football disputes.
That tension is familiar across the game. Supporters increasingly demand greater transparency from owners, but clubs retain broad control over access, matchday conduct and official relationships. Once communication breaks down, even a symbolic protest can become a disciplinary and governance issue.
If the reported bans are implemented, the next Celtic home fixture will test how widely the sanctions are enforced and whether further demonstrations follow. The bigger storyline will be whether the club opens a new channel with other supporter groups-or allows this rupture to define its relationship with organised fans for the rest of the season.