Bill Copeland

Eilidh Barbour, who reports for Sky Sports News and BBC Sport, criticised the tone of ex-lawyer Bill Copeland's speech at the Scottish Football Writers' ...

This is not banter for the minority groups who are the butt of the jokes. "It’s time to call time on the sexist shame of the beautiful game." A Women in Journalism Scotland spokesperson said: "Women in Journalism Scotland (WiJS) stands with all those who walked out in the middle of an offensive after-dinner speech at the Scottish Football Writers’ Association awards dinner last night. "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." Just really poor taste. Bennett said the tone of the speech was a symptom of a wider problem in Scottish football - namely the under-representation of women working in sports coverage.

The Scottish Football Writers' Association has apologised for offensive comments made by a speaker at their awards ceremony in Glasgow.

"The fact we have been made aware by those in attendance that they felt unwelcome within the industry they work is unacceptable, and we stand with them. "Events that celebrate talent in our game should be a time to focus on the positives and all the people who have played their part in pushing football forward. "Women face sexism and misogyny in society, and this is often exacerbated when they play a role in football and other sports - whether they're a player, a pundit or a fan.

The Scottish Football Writers' Association (SFWA) have apologised after keynote speaker Bill Copeland was said to have made racist, sexist and homophobic ...

“We acknowledge the apology issued by the Scottish Football Writers’ Association and look forward to their promised review of future events. My table walked out at the same time as Eilidh’s did.” Connie McLaughlin, a freelance broadcaster for BBC and BT Sport tweeted: “I am sad to still be having this conversation... I love Scottish football, but come on we are better than this #sfwa #callitout #equalgame.” “Racism and homophobia continue to be a stain on the game, and we must continue to challenge it and eradicate it. why am I spending my night discussing why misogyny is not funny...

A football awards ceremony which honoured Sir Alex Ferguson has been criticised for featuring a keynote speaker who allegedly made homophobic and racially.

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Guests at the event walked out due to some of the material delivered by after dinner speaker Bill Copeland.

"It’s really damaging for women trying to be respected. But there were loads of people laughing at these jokes. Guests at the event walked out due to some of the material delivered by after dinner speaker Bill Copeland

Sir Alex Ferguson received a lifetime achievement award at the dinner, but it was overshadowed by complaints against keynote speaker Bill Copeland. Sports ...

Racism and homophobia also continue to be a stain on the game, and we must continue to challenge it and eradicate it. There is lots of work we still need to do in changing people’s minds about what is acceptable.” “It is also worth pointing out that there were loads of people laughing at these jokes.

Former criminal barrister Bill Copeland is accused of using the word 'p**f' while joking about his dad allegedly being homophobic at Sunday's Scottish Football ...

‘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.’ ‘Racism and homophobia continue to be a stain on the game, and we must continue to challenge it and eradicate it.’ A spokesperson for the SFWA said: ‘The Scottish Football Writers’ Association apologises to anyone offended or upset by material from one of our after-dinner speakers at last night’s annual awards dinner. The author, who is a member of the Women in Journalism group, said she had spoken to the only three women working as staff writers in the print side of the industry and ‘what they told us would make your hair stand on end’. Kick It Out, an organisation that focuses on equality and inclusion in football, has issued a joint statement with Women in Football saying they ‘expect and demand better’. The SFWA has apologised to ‘anyone upset’, with bosses saying they’d use the incident as a catalyst for improvement.