Nicola Sturgeon believes calls for a “fit and proper” person test for footballers should be considered.
The First Minister was asked about the issue in the wake of footballer David Goodwillie, who was found to have raped a woman by a civil court, signing for Raith Rovers.
The Fife club reversed its decision following a huge backlash, including author Val McDermid withdrawing her sponsorship.
McDermid blasted the club’s board and suggested greater checks on players ahead of them signing for clubs.
She said: "I think that there needs to be some kind of independent body that regulates the whole game generally, particularly what players can play, who can be on the books, if you like, to play for clubs.”
"At the moment there is no real regulation over that. There is the supposed 'fit and proper person' regulation that comes to ownership but there is nothing about who is actually on the pitch.
"I think, to be honest, fans are saying now we want people on the pitch that we can respect and look up to."
At Holyrood, SNP MSP Michelle Thomson asked Sturgeon if she agreed with the fit and proper person concept floated by McDermid.
She said: “I do think Val McDermid's proposal merits further consideration. In the interests of full transparency Val McDermid is a friend of mine, but notwithstanding that I do think she has said many sensible things on this issue.”
She added: “People look up to footballers - that's perhaps not always true of politicians - but there is a responsibility on football clubs to make sure that those playing for them are role models for the wee boys and the wee girls who do look up to them and see them as heroes.”
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