Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Trial for Dee gaffer over abuse claims
DU N DE E Footba l l C lub ma nager Ja mes McPa ke and former teammate Gary Irvine will stand trial over allegations of homophobic abuse and assault in a city pub.
The pair appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
They were granted bail and are due to stand trial in February.
Prosecutors allege the offences took place at The Braes, Perth Road, on October 6 – the same day the pair were involved in a testimonial match as part of a Dundee XI against Lochee United.
Forfar Athletic player Irvine, 34, denies headbutting a man on the face to his injury. McPake, 35, is accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear or alarm by making an offensive remark of a homophobic nature towards two men.
It is alleged the offence was aggravated by prejudice relating to sexual orientation
McPake and Irvine, whose addresses were given as care of Dundee Football Club, spoke only to confirm their names before pleas of not guilty were tendered on their behalf by solicitor David Duncan. Sheriff John Rafferty fixed a trial for February with a pre-trial hearing due to take place in the same month.
McPake was appointed manager of Dundee in the summer and his team are currently sitting third in the Scottish Championship.
Irvine spent six seasons with the Dark Blues before making the move to Station Park in the summer.
He quit his role as assistant manager last month to make way for former Dundee boss Barry Smith.
After the pair were charged, a police spokesman said: “Police Scotland can confirm two men, aged 35 and 34, have been charged in connection with an alleged disturbance at The Braes public house on Perth Road in Dundee at around 11.30pm on Sunday October 8.”