ARE YOU TAKING THE PITCH?
Football team banned for 6 months after boys peed outside because toilets were locked
A KIDS’ football team has been banned for six months after some boys took a pee at the side of the pitch because the toilets were locked.
Parents have blasted killjoy council chiefs for the move.
AN UNDER-7s football team has been banned for six months by killjoy council bosses after some boys took a pee at the side of the pitch.
Now the families of six and seven- year- olds playing for Drumsagard 2013s have demanded a reprieve for the team – who were hit with the ban just weeks after returning to football following lockdown.
Last night, the families were joined by Old Firm legends Barry Ferguson and Chris Sutton in demanding a U-turn. Barry said the council should “see sense” and let the boys play, while Chris called the ban “ridiculous”.
The team were banned for six months from South Lanarkshire Council’s Newton Farm pitches at Cambuslang after youngsters were spotted relieving themselves outside when they couldn’t gain access to the toilets.
The ban came after complaints from two onlookers earlier this month.
Relatives told us the youngsters had been left devastated – and the incident only occurred because the door to the toilets was closed when the lads went to use them.
Charles Clark, whose grandson plays for the team, said the council should be “hanging their heads in shame” over the decision.
He said: “This is a big part of the children’s lives and they were so excited to be back playing football again. Now they are all upset.
“Kids were being taken to use the facilities but there was no answer at the door. This isn’t the first time that has happened.
“Obviously, this meant there were then young children getting upset and in a lot of discomfort.
“They are just young boys who aren’t old enough to know any better, and a couple of them then went outside. It seemed a better decision than having them in such distress.”
The youngsters are now having to train on open grass behind St Charles’ Primary, but as dark nights draw in it will no longer be fit for purpose. That will leave them with nowhere to train or play games.
Rangers hero Ferguson last night called on the council to backtrack on their decision, describing it as an “overreaction”.
He said: “It’s important that these kids are out kicking a ball about and doing what they enjoy doing for their own mental health.
“It will be so frustrating for the team and the parents of the kids to see them being punished for something so trivial, especially at the ages they are.
“We’re talking about young kids here. The way the world is just now, the most important thing is that these young kids are playing football.
“I hope the council sees sense in the whole situation and lets the kids get back.”
Celtic legend and pundit Sutton also called for a U-turn, describing the team’s treatment as “appalling”.
He said: “To say this is an overreaction is an understatement. It’s ridiculous to ban them.
“They didn’t have a facility they could use at the particular time. They are little kids needing the toilet and when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go.”
Lib Dem South Lanarkshire councillor Robert Brown also called on council chiefs to rethink the move.
He said: “It is not satisfactory to dish out such a harsh punishment to a group of six and seven year olds.” David Booth, general manager of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, said: “We can confirm that during our investigation into representations from neighbours of the Newton Farm community facility, the organisers of the club did not dispute the basis of the complaints and agreed that access to toilet facilities had been available on the date in question, on that basis we had no option but to take action.
“We have advised the club of the appeals process and should they choose to lodge an appeal we will be able to take into account any mitigating circumstances they might feel are relevant, including the young age of the children.”
Scottish Labour MSP David Stewart said: “I would encourage the council, the team and the public to come to an arrangement that will allow the team to recommence football practice with full access to toilet facilities.”