Braehead-based Glasgow Clan have suspended top officials after they signed a player facing an alleged rape charge.
The ice hockey team, which plays on the mall’s ice rink, has suspended chief executive Gareth Chalmers and head coach Malcolm Cameron as a result of their role in the signing of Lasse Uusivirta.
The 33-year-old was charged with first degree rape in the United States in 2013 before leaving the country and returning to his native Finland.
The then student is alleged to have committed the crime while attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) in January of that year.
Prosecutors have since said they would not seek to have him returned to the USA to face justice, but insisted the charge would remain awaiting his return.
It is understood the Clan were aware of the alleged crime when the defence player was added to the squad.
Glasgow Clan announced Uusivirta’s signing on Thursday at 7pm – but confirmed the deal had been cancelled by 9.21pm.
A statement issued by Clan chairman Neil Black on Friday morning said two members of senior management had been suspended with immediate effect.
He said: “At 7.45pm last night, I was made aware for the first time of a major situation which merits further internal investigation and this has led to the immediate suspension of both the Clan chief executive Gareth Chalmers and the Clan head coach Malcolm Cameron.”
The aborted signing has caused a huge backlash from fans, with hundreds voicing their anger online.
One supporter of the team wrote on Twitter: “Games are meant to be a family environment and you think this was a good signing?
“Think of the fans who this will affect mentally. The fans who are victims themselves. You need to do more than just apologise.”
Another fan added: “Absolutely disgusted with @ClanIHC and the obvious lack of respect they have for anyone that’s been a victim of sexual assault in signing this player to begin with!”
Another called for the chief executive to be sacked. He added: “This is a new low for the professional game in the UK.
“The message it sends to women in general and to kids who look up to these players and don’t understand this situation is disgusting. Gareth Chalmers must go now and never come back.”
A feeling shared by many, another fan said: “Whoever sanctioned the signing in the first place needs to go and management really need to take a good hard look in the mirror for allowing this to happen.”
The Clan, with Stephen Dixon in temporary charge, walked out in front of fans on Friday night at the Braehead Arena to take on the Belfast Giants. The match finished 3-2 to the Northern Irish side.
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