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The football government is expected to intervene in the controversy over the signing of David Goodwillie by Raith Rovers.
Goodwillie, 32, was convicted by a civil court in 2017 of raping a woman, but continued his football career.
His last stint in the Scottish Championship squad sparked an uproar among fans, staff and the wider football world, with Val McDermid, whose call appears on the club’s shirts and in one of its stands, withdrawing his support.
The club’s women’s team has also been affected by a series of resignations, captain Tyler Rattray, following the signing.
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Speaking to STV on Wednesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it would “be appropriate” for the Scottish Professional Football League or the Scottish Football Association to interfere in the controversy.
The Prime Minister, however, has not gone into detail about what she believes will be done.
“Football players: this is not a job, as the prime minister is not a job,” he said in a later interview.
“Footballers are role models and football clubs have a duty to be positive role models for the children and women who cherish them.
“This is a player who has been found guilty through a civil court, albeit on a balance of odds, of raping a woman, and as far as I know, he has shown no regret or image reflected by that and I think Raith Rovers wants to reflect on the message he sends.
In a statement on Tuesday, the club said the signing was “above all. . . a decision related to football”, which, according to the Prime Minister, “has angered the challenge instead of advancing it”.
He added: “What they seemed to be saying was that it didn’t matter how a guy behaved with a woguy, the only thing they cared about was whether he could score goals for the football club. “
“This actually illustrates the distance we want as a society if our rhetoric about zero tolerance of sexual violence, violence against women, becomes a reality. “
Ms. Sturgeon applauded the movements of McDermid, whom she said she counted as a friend.
“I think she has shown more love for Raith Rovers, perhaps, than those who make those decisions on behalf of Raith Rovers,” he said.
Ms Sturgeon went on to describe Rattray’s resignation on the women’s side as “brave” and “principled”,but added: “None of those women have held this position and that’s what we want to focus on. “
The Prime Minister’s comments come as the director general of Scottish Women’s Football (SWF), a former member of Ms Sturgeon’s cabinet, said the resolution could have “devastating consequences” for women in sport.
Aileen Campbell said the club had made a “misjudged” decision to single out Goodwillie, telling BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “The fact that the club has lost its captain as a result of this is devastating, would be a devastating consequence. losing in the game as a result of this poor resolution.
“We forget that it is a privilege to paint in football and that football has genuine influence and influence, especially in the young fans, and that is why this resolution is mediocre.
“It has an impact. We can analyze the movements on the field, but we cannot forget the fact that football also has a great influence off the field.