Bartley appointed SFA equality adviser

Livingston captain Marvin Bartley has been appointed an equality adviser as the SFA seeks to “redouble its efforts” to tackle racism.

Bartley and former Scotland international Leanne Ross will join the SFA’S equality and diversity advisory board (EDAB), which today will discuss the alleged racist abuse aimed at Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara.

Uefa is investigating the claims against Slavia Prague midfielder Ondrej Kudela, which followed the teams’ Europa League match at Ibrox. Kudela denies the allegations.

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “The incident involving Glen Kamara at Ibrox last week demonstrates that society and football still has a lot of work to do to eradicate racism.

“Scottish football’s response shows the commitment to change and EDAB exists to be an agency for change, bringing consensus from across the game on all matters of equality and diversity.”

Bartley, who has previously been subjected to racist abuse while playing for Hibernian, said: “We have seen all too recently that racism still continues to be a major issue within football and further demonstrates the work that needs done to eradicate it from our game.

“I am eager to join Leanne Ross as an adviser to the SFA, to provide thoughts from a player’s perspective on issues that are extremely close to my heart.”

PFA Scotland will be represented on the board by Tony Higgins.

Fraser Wishart, chief executive of the players’ union, said: “The players have shown togetherness with their actions this season, be that by taking a knee or making a stand with Glen as they did at the weekend, and are determined to play their part and make their voices heard.”