N-word footie chief resigns after email apology snub
Junior fans blast delay over decision
FOOTBALL fans have slammed a top official who resigned after making a racist remark at a monthly meeting.
Scott Robertson, general secretary of the Scottish Junior Football Association, quit after clubs rejected his emailed apology.
The Record revealed on Saturday how he used the n-word at a quarterly meeting of the West Region on Thursday.
The outburst – in front of dozens of delegates – came seconds after Show Racism the Red Card literature had been distributed.
West Region chiefs told clubs in an email that they accepted his resignation “with immediate effect”.
The email added: “Scott’s comments were unacceptable and cannot be condoned by the managing committee. We do not accept discrimination in any form.”
Last night, fans and junior players and staff took to popular online forum Pie and Bovril to vent their anger.
One member called Lokloyal said: “It’s that kind of 18th century village mentality which has held junior football back.
“Hopefully now we can review these things and take progressive steps to push things forward.”
Theesel1994 criticised the committee for not acting immediately, writing: “It’s odd, isn’t it? 60 or so delegates, as well as management committee, and not one walked out or stood up to complain.
“It’s almost as if they weren’t that angry at the time but later thought, ‘We’d better get offended by this’.”
Wee Albert said: “He had to go. Language like that is not acceptable.
“The West Region could have handled it better as one of the committee should have addressed it as soon as it was said and then spoke to Mr Robertson after the meeting, offering him the chance to resign.”
Robertson, SJFA president Tom Johnston and West Region president Matt Bamford were approached for comment.