Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Sexist jokes lead to awards walkout
THE Scottish Football Writers’ Association has apologised for an after-dinner speaker making offensive jokes that led to guests – including TV broadcaster Eilidh Barbour – walking out during its awards night.
Barbour claimed she had “never felt so unwelcome” in her industry while another guest revealed she had walked out following “sexist and racist jokes”.
The controversy centred around a speech by Bill Copeland, a lawyer who works on the afterdinner speaking circuit.
The SFWA promised a review of the event, which was attended by award winners including Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou, Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon and former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who received a lifetime achievement award at the dinner in Glasgow on Sunday night.
Barbour wrote on Twitter during the speech: “Never felt so unwelcome in the industry I work in than sitting at the Scottish Football Writers Awards.
“A huge reminder there is still so much to do in making our game an equal place.”
Gabriella Bennett, co-chairwoman of Women in Journalism Scotland, wrote: “I was at these awards tonight and sat through the same sexist and racist jokes made by a keynote speaker. My table walked out at the same time Eilidh’s did.”
In a statement yesterday, the SFWA apologised to “anyone offended or upset by material from one of our after-dinner speakers” at the awards night.
It added: “We have agreed unanimously that this will act as a catalyst to review and improve the format of our future events to make it an enjoyable and inspirational event for all.”