Campaigners hit out over snubbing of game’s kids
CAMPAIGNERS and politicians have hit out at the Children’s Commissioner for turning his back on kids in football.
Bruce Adamson has told grassroots champions he’s dropping his organisation’s interest in their long-running Scottish parliament petition.
Predecessor Tam Baillie had previously threatened to push for Holyrood legislation over a string of abuses, including contracts and failure to pay minimum wage, highlighted over nine years by Willie Smith and Scott Robertson.
However, Adamson has decided to focus on other priorities after a meeting with the SFA and SPFL – at the request of the football authorities.
His decision has been labelled “staggering” in light of recent sex abuse controversies in Scottish football, with an SFA report on historical abuse on hold until the end of current criminal investigations.
Smith said: “Adamson’s decision beggars belief at a time when the wellbeing of kids is at the very top of the game’s agenda.
“It’s staggering he has made his decision after meetings with the SFA and SPFL, who are effectively being allowed to mark their own homework.
“Adamson apologised for not giving us the courtesy of a meeting as he did the football authorities.
“We need to know what they told him, even if it means hauling him in front of the public petitions committee.”
Adamson’s decision, communicated in a letter to Smith and Robertson on January 31, has been met with dismay across the political spectrum.
SNP MSP James Dornan said: “I urge him to reconsider and put the full weight of his office behind Scotland’s youth players.”
Tory Brian Whittle said the “issue will not be swept under the carpet”.
The commissioner did not respond to a request for comment.