The Scottish Football Writers’ Association has apologised amid claims that sexist and racist remarks made by a speaker at an award ceremony in Glasgow prompted attendees to walk out.
The association released a statement in response to the “sickening” comments from after-dinner speaker Bill Copeland at the SFWA awards at the Hilton DoubleTree hotel on Sunday night.
It’s claimed the former defence lawyer’s speech included references to porn and racial and misogynistic slurs, and resulted in Sky Sports’ Eilidh Barbour and Gabriella Bennett, the co-chair of Women In Journalism Scotland leaving the room.
Speaking to Glasgow Live, Ms Bennett said: “It was a speech that lasted around 20 minutes, but within the first five minutes there were at least three offensive comments towards women.
“I have been to many of these ceremonies over the years but this was by far the most explicit. The sexist and racial slurs were sickening and totally inappropriate, particularly given that they were made on stage in a professional setting.”
Ms Bennett claims Copeland’s presentation began…
