Club’s sponsors question signing of player convicted of domestic abuse
A football club that signed a convicted domestic abuser could lose lucrative sponsorship deals.
Firms with links to Whitehill Welfare have spoken out following the signing of Paul Tansey last month after he was sacked by former club Penicuik.
The 37-year-old from Dalkeith headbutted ex-partner Lisa Robertson, 30, who is a Celtic and Scotland midfielder. Tansey, the brother of footballer Leigh Griffiths, also monitored Robertson’s mobile use, contacted her repeatedly by phone and text, launched a cup of hot tea at her and damaged the front door of her Edinburgh home.
A court banned him from contacting her for five years and in May ordered him to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work. Tansey’s contract with Penicuik was terminated after the conviction but he was taken on by Whitehill weeks later.
A petition calling on Whitehill to end their association with Tansey has sprung up online and sponsors are considering cutting ties. Habibur Khan, managing director of shirt sponsor The Radhuni, an Indian restaurant in
Loanhead, has contacted Whitehill to raise concerns, adding: “We do not support these acts.”
Alex Porteous, managing director of local business Taskforce, which sponsors the club, said his firm has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and has contacted the club about the signing.
Politicians have also criticised Whitehill Welfare. Sue Webber, Conservative MSP for Lothian, said: “I urge them to end their contract with him. It’s completely inappropriate for a family-oriented, community-based club to
sign someone convicted of domestic abuse.”
Whitehill Welfare did not respond.