A Scots football club has apologised and sacked Ex-Hibs player Jordon Forster who admitted stalking his partner in court this week.
Tranent F.C. from East Lothian released a statement yesterday saying the would be standing by Forster after he was found guilty of a course of abusive behaviour at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, June 20, but they have announced today that they reversed the decision.
It was heard in court that over a seven month period, Jordon repeatedly turned up at the home and workplace of the woman and accessed her phone without her permission. He called the 30-year-old victim derogatory names and acted aggressively, and in one incident he seized her arm and threw her on top of a bed.
Sheriff Kenneth Campbell KC deferred sentence on Forster, of Gorebridge, Midlothian, until next month for reports. The court will also be seeking a non-harassment order banning Forster from contacting or approaching the woman.
Now, Tranent Football Club, who play in the Lowland League, has reversed their original decision after a furious backlash from fans and a woman's rights group.
They said the club has released the player with 'immediate effect' and apologised to the victim and their local community.
A spokesperson for the club said: "Tranent FC can confirm the contract of Jordon Forster has been terminated with immediate effect.
"As a board, we have made a mistake and we apologise to the victim, our fans, the local community and to the wider sporting world for any offence caused, this was never our intention.
"We are a club committed to doing the absolute best we can, and we clearly got this wrong. We will endeavour to do better going forward."
Speaking to the Record earlier today the woman's rights group Zero Tolerance called on the club to consider the victim.
Co-director, Rachel Adamson, said: "Reporting domestic abuse is incredibly hard and requires a tremendous amount of bravery to relive your pain and fear.
"Pursuing the case to court and dealing with the resulting media coverage and public opinions on the abuse you've experienced is harder still.
"Did Tranent FC consider the survivor at all when deciding to support her abuser? How are they showing their community that men's violence against women and girls is never acceptable?"
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