A Scots football club's decision to stand behind a domestic abuser has been met with widespread fury.
Ex-Hibs player Jordon Forster, 29, admitted to engaging in a course of abusive behaviour towards his partner over a seven month period, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, June 20.
However, his current club, Tranent F.C., have decided to back Forster, releasing a statement saying they will be 'encouraging and assisting Jordon with his reformation'.
The court heard how Jordon repeatedly turned up at the home and place of work of the woman and accessed her phone without permission. He called the 30-year-old victim derogatory names and acted aggressively. During one incident he seized her arm and threw her on 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.
Following his appearance at court, Tranent FC released a statement on their website.
A spokesperson for the club said: "Tranent Football Club acknowledges the decision of our current player Jordon Forster, to plead guilty to an amended domestic abuse charge at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
"Whilst we deplore any and all forms of domestic abuse, we also believe in the value of rehabilitation.
"Jordon has shown nothing but remorse as well as a willingness to correct his actions, and as a Club taking into account the thoughts and opinions of our management, committee, sponsors, colts and supporters, we are encouraging and assisting Jordon with his reformation."
However, the club's decision was met with widespread fury online.
Someone replied: "This is wrong on so many levels. Our younger generation of Tranent fans will think his actions are acceptable. We need to show that domestic abuse in any shape or form is unacceptable."
One said: "How can you call yourself a community club and what example is this setting to kids who want to watch football?
Another commented: "This statement lacks any empathy or even sympathy for the survivor in this case. Again a football club protecting its image."
Someone else said: "Domestic abuse in any shape or form should have consequences. For a club to back them and not show the player the door isn’t showing our younger generation a good example. Get him out."
Another added: "When there have already been a few recent, high profile examples in Scottish football of how not to handle similar situations, you have to wonder how football clubs continue to get it so wrong."
Speaking to the Record, Rachel Adamson, co-director of Zero Tolerance, 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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