Top brass can’t keep eyes off child wellbeing

THE SFA have enough on their plate trying to deal with controversies engulfing our referees.

But the powerbreakers on Hampden’s sixth floor would be well advised not to take their eye off the delicate issue of child protection.

The shortcomings in their Children and Wellbeing Panel have been exposed in a letter to the Scottish government by Kenny Hamilton. Record Sport readers may recall Kenny’s son, 16-year-old Rory, took his case to the panel last year to win his release from Livingston.

He catalogued a string of failings, including the refusal of the club to date his registration document and a threat he would jeopardise his chances of playing for Livi if he turned out for his school team.

It took the panel just 25 minutes to find in favour of Rory.

Livi’s rule breaches were blatant and they dismantled their entire youth operation in the summer.

Shamefully, however, it took a further letter from Kenny to prompt Tony McGlennan, then compliance officer, into hitting Livingston with a notice of complaint for their behaviour.

Kenny was staggered when asked to provide a statement on behalf of Rory on the evidence they had already provided.

He wrote: “Rory and I were shocked to discover no record of the Wellbeing Panel was taken.”

With Rory studying for exams, and living 40 miles away, they declined an invite to attend Hampden for a second time for a statement.

McGlennan agreed to send someone to note the statement instead and Kenny said: “He informed us this would be a retired police officer.

“If this was designed to reassure us, it actually had the opposite effect.” McGlennan finally agreed to accept a written statement and the date for a judicial hearing was set, with Rory and his dad’s presence at Hampden compulsory.

Kenny said: “I was told Rory could be cross examined by a lawyer representing Livingston. We were astonished.

“If we had been required to give evidence and be cross examined I would have withdrawn the complaint. I could not have subjected my son to that environment.

“I couldn’t help but wonder if minutes of the wellbeing panel had been recorded this would have been unnecessary.”

Shortly before the hearing date, Livingston pleaded guilty to all

The smug promotion of Children & Wellbeing Panel in game is a disgrace

charges and were fined £2,000 by the SFA.

The smug promotion of the Children and Wellbeing Panel by senior figures in the game is a disgrace.

You have to ask why only Rory and one other kid have ever engaged with it. It is intimidating, layered with bureaucracy, not child centred and the fact minutes were not taking in Rory’s case should set alarm bells.

Former Children’s Commissioner Tam Baillie took an active interest in the petition currently going through parliament on the rights of kids within the Scottish game.

His successor, Bruce Adamson, has not been as diligent. It’s about time he raised his game.