Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Val McDermid, what a woman!

38 replies

viques · 02/02/2022 11:19

Val McDermid is a longtime supporter and sponsor of Raith football club. She has withdrawn her support -and her money - from the club because they have recently signed a man with a conviction for rape, despite assurances to her from the Chair that they wouldnt.

The brave woman he and another player raped , Denise Clair, had to take out a private prosecution and give up her right to anonymity to secure the conviction.

I am so pleased that so many people are supporting Val and the stand she is making.

She was interviewed on Woman’s Hour today 2.2.22, the last item .

OP posts:
madisonbridges · 02/02/2022 13:53

But if he showed regret for raping her, he'd be admitting raping her and opening himself up to a police prosecution. Obviously, that's even if he's the sort of person who does feel any remorse.

I get fully that footballers are sort of role models but footballers do all sorts of disgusting behaviour that is undesirable for youngsters to follow and they never get dropped from teams, not even the national team, for that. If you say that some jobs are to be held to a different standard than others, how do you define which fall into which category. Is it right that he's not allowed to be a footballer where he'll mostly come into contact with men, but it's OK for him to do admin work in a large company where he'll be with lots more women.
It's not that I have sympathy with him or think that they should employ him. Ched Evans was eventually acquitted of rape but his actions that night were still totally disgusting. I loathe that he still plays professional football, but should he be banned when he has no conviction against him?
I just never find these things so black and white.

Goatsaregreat · 02/02/2022 13:28

Kudos to Val and the women's team for taking an ethical stance.

Original poster
viques · 02/02/2022 12:35

@madisonbridges

I feel for Denise Clair and have no time for these seemingly increasing amount of footballers whose behaviour is disgusting. But I think it's difficult. Someone has sued him for rape and won but the standards that she will have needed to meet will be lower than in a criminal case. So technically he doesn't have a criminal record. But even if he did, if he'd then done his time, are we saying that rapists should never be allowed to work? That they should forever live on benefits provided by the taxpayer?
Maybe rapists who express regret for the pain and hurt they have caused , who have shown that their behaviour and attitude has changed, who are actively working to ensure that other people are taught about the damage that occurs when rape culture is seen as OK, then maybe that person is employable . But probably not in a role where they are expected to uphold values of decency, fair play and sportsmanship, to provide leadership for younger players and club supporters, to take part in outreach programmes on schools .

Young male footballers are highly paid people , often afforded high status by their fans, they need to understand that if they want the kudos of the role they have to accept the responsibility that comes with it.

OP posts:
UnconditionalSurrender · 02/02/2022 12:19

Val MacDermid and all the others who have stood up and been counted are amazing
I read the court procedings of his civil case. It was vile. It beggars belief the police didn't find enough evidence to prosecute. Plus he has 2 convictions for assault.
As for whether someone can work again?
A professional football player is not just a sportsman they are seen as a role model and as a representative of their club. So of course they can get a job but professional football player probably shouldn't be one of them.

madisonbridges · 02/02/2022 12:06

I feel for Denise Clair and have no time for these seemingly increasing amount of footballers whose behaviour is disgusting. But I think it's difficult. Someone has sued him for rape and won but the standards that she will have needed to meet will be lower than in a criminal case. So technically he doesn't have a criminal record.
But even if he did, if he'd then done his time, are we saying that rapists should never be allowed to work? That they should forever live on benefits provided by the taxpayer?

MichelleScarn · 02/02/2022 11:54

Bloody hell so he has 'footballing ability' and is a 'proven' goal scorer so it's all good?

I'm a bit fucking cynical but is there a chance the use of 'proven' is a nasty wee dig, given its a term in Scots law?

ArabellaScott · 02/02/2022 11:46

Wow. Flowers to the women's team captain and the whole women's team. You have my admiration and solidarity.

PronounssheRa · 02/02/2022 11:39

The women's team captain resigned yesterday and it looks like the whole women's team have now abandoned raith rovers twitter.com/MargotMcCuaig/status/1488829573273899008?cxt=HHwWgMCy4fqmsakpAAAA

BitOutOfPractice · 02/02/2022 11:33

I totally agree with you. She's made a magnificent stand.

But...he doesn't have a rape conviction (there's another rant right there because he most certainly should!) and also, she is not the only one who has made this stand.

everythingcrossed · 02/02/2022 11:32

More impressively, the women's team's captain has also resigned. VMcD saves money by withdrawing her support, Tyler Rattray, the women's captain, risks income and career.

ArabellaScott · 02/02/2022 11:25

Good for her.

covilha · 02/02/2022 11:25

Both ladies are courageous and amazing

Original poster
viques · 02/02/2022 11:23

And the reason he was signed?

Because he is a “proven goal scorer”.

So ner ner ner to the Raith junior girls football groups, the woman’s teams, the female supporters, the local outreach programmes, your feelings don’t matter, only goals matter.

OP posts: