Supports McDermid, Rattray over Goodwillie signing
Sturgeon says she supports McDermid and Rattray, after the former brakes her lifelong support and sponsorship of the club, and the latter resigns from the woman’s team.
The stances that @valmcdermid and women’s team captain @Tyler_RattrayX have taken are principled – though difficult for both of them. But the fact they’re in this position at all reminds us that our society still has a way to go to make zero tolerance of sexual violence a reality https://t.co/a10yHafoOo
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) February 1, 2022
Sturgeon: Rovers ‘must reflect’ on Goodwillie signing
Sturgeon comments on Goodwillie’s signing:
I think the statement Raith Rovers issued last night actually compounded the problem…what they effectively seemed to be saying is that it didn’t matter how a man had behaved towards a woman, the only thing that mattered to them was whether he could score goals for the football club. That really illustrates the distance we’ve still got to go as a society if our rhetoric about zero tolerance of sexual violence against women is to be a reality. Football players are role models and football clubs have a responsibility to make sure they are positive role models for the wee boys and the wee girls who look up to them. This is a player who was found in a civil court, albiet on the balance of probablities, to have raped a woman and as far as I’m aware, hasn’t shown any remorse or reflection for that and I think Raith Rovers really do have to reflect on the message that sends.
🗣 “Football clubs have a responsibility to make sure players are positive role models for the wee boys and wee girls who look up to them.”
First Minister @NicolaSturgeon is again urging Raith Rovers to rethink the decision to sign David Goodwillie. pic.twitter.com/gZsB9mH9PF
— Radio Clyde News (@RadioClydeNews) February 2, 2022