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Statement on Glasgow Clan signing

Earlier this year, we were deeply disappointed by Raith Rovers FC's decision to David Goodwillie, who was found by a senior judge to be a rapist. Yesterday, we found ourselves again discouraged by the actions of management in Scottish sports when Glasgow Clan ice hockey club announced the signing of Lasse Uusivirta, who was arrested on allegations of a rape charge in the US in 2013 and left the country before he could be brought to trial.

Signing men who have been accused of sexual crimes sends the entirely wrong message, it says that men's athletic abilities are worth more than the lives of the women they've harmed. These decisions can be retraumatising for survivors and decision-makers must be held accountable for the harm caused by their actions.

While we are frustrated and disappointed that sports club officials have again put sport over survivors, we have been heartened by the response from fans. As with the Raith Rovers signing, fans of Glasgow Clan have stood in solidarity with survivors by objecting to the signing so powerfully that the decision has become untenable. We want to thank them for taking a stand and supporting survivors.

There's a long way to go in tackling men's violence against women and girls in sport, but fans in Scotland have been clear, they will no longer tolerate it. It's past time that decision-makers follow their lead.