Scottish Rugby Union investigating complaints following 'rape joke' at club dinner
“Sexist and racist” comments were made at an awards dinner held by Musselburgh RFC with resignations and complaints made following the event
Scottish Rugby Union is investigating complaints into a “racist, homophobic and sexist” speech made at a rugby club dinner which allegedly ended in the speaker making a joke about rape.
The dinner was held at Musselburgh Rugby FC with the speech made by Alan Stewart, the president of Alloa Rugby Club.
Several women were reportedly in tears following the dinner with he coach of the relatively new women’s team, James Ferguson, later stepping down from his post given the ‘atrocious’ remarks made.
He was not at the dinner but was involved in discussions with his players and the club following the event, held the weekend before last.
Musselburgh Rugby FC, whose president, Blair Stewart, was appointed custodian director of SRU in November last year, issued an apology over the weekend.
SRU is now dealing with several complaints linked to the dinner and said the alleged comments were “wholly unacceptable”.
A statement released by SRU last night said: “Scottish Rugby strongly condemns the comments reportedly made at the Musselburgh RFC dinner. They are wholly unacceptable and do not reflect the values of our game.
“We are grateful to those who brought this matter to our attention. Scottish Rugby is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion at every level of the game. There is no place for discriminatory behaviour in our sport, or in wider society.
“We are currently progressing the matter through our regulatory department.”
The women’s team captain walked out of the dinner with reports suggesting two senior players have departed from the women’s squad following discussions after the event.
Details of the dinner have been removed from Musselburgh RFC’s website but a statement of apology has been added to the site.
Musselburgh Rugby Football Club admitted the actions of its after dinner speaker had “dented progress” in developing the women’s game.
The exact content of Alan Stewart’s jokes have not been reported but were said by attendees to have been “racist, homophobic and sexist”.
Senior staff at Musselburgh RFC are said to have read a statement of apology to women’s team members on behalf of the Alloa president.
According to the club, he has pledged to make a donation to charity and acknowledges his “very poor judgement”.
The club apology reads: “We recognise the importance of calling out poor behaviours and in no way condone or approve of the subject matters that caused offence.
“We have been in extensive dialogue with our women’s team since Saturday and are working closely with them to agree a positive way forward for the team and for the club.
“We are grateful to them for their collaboration over this period.”
The club has “committed to further conversations with the women’s playing group” and offered further opportunities for women to have a “clear and regular voice”, hoping that they can “move forward from this stronger”.
The amateur club is listed as a recommended club on the website of LEAP Sports, Scotland’s LGBTIQ+ sports charity.
There are plans for joint rugby sessions with the male players in future and a donation will be made to a charity of choice on behalf of the women’s team.
A spokesperson for Alloa Rugby Club said: "We are aware of the allegations made and while Alan was there in a personal capacity, we will establish the facts and take the appropriate action.”
Mr Stewart was approached for comment.
The incident comes after Reform UK’s leader in Scotland, Malcolm Offord, was forced to issue an apology for a deeply disparaging homophobic “joke” he made about the late singer George Michael at a rugby club dinner.
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