DROGHEDA PLAYER ‘FINES’ HIMSELF FOR OUTBURST

A LEAGUE of Ireland player who tweeted abusive remarks about the woman in the Belfast rape trial, has offered to donate the rest of his earnings this season to a rape crisis centre.

Drogheda United player Luke Rossiter issued a wide-ranging apology yesterday in which he expressed how ‘deeply sorry’ he was for the tweet, in which he referred to the complainant and other women in highly sexist and abusive terms. He also called for the woman to be prosecuted.

His apology said: ‘The truth is I don’t really know why I did it as I have no reasoning behind it. It was a stupid and immature thing to do. And in doing so, I have hurt and let my family, club, manager, team-mates and the Drogheda fans down and I’m sure many more. It is clear I still have some growing up to do in relation to how I conduct myself off the pitch as well as on it.

‘If the club and fans can forgive me I would like to start that growing by donating any money I receive from Drogheda United for the remainder of the season to the Rape Crisis North East based in Dundalk, which has an outreach programme in Drogheda. I would also like to offer my time to promote awareness of such sensitive issues and Apology: Luke Rossiter I am also keen to learn how such issues can impact and affect people’s lives. Once again I’m sorry for any hurt I have caused.’

The club said, while it has acknowledged his ‘wholehearted apology’, an internal investigation is still ongoing.

‘Drogheda United are also carrying out a review of club policy and plan to educate all players and staff in relation to the impact their opinions and actions can have on others. Luke Rossiter has been informed he will not be considered for selection until such time that the investigation is completed and reviewed,’ the club said.