Livingston captain Marvin Bartley and Glasgow City captain Leanne Ross have been appointed equality advisors by the Scottish FA’s Equality and Diversity Advisory Board in response to alleged racist abuse suffered by Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara.
The Rangers played has spoken of receiving racist abuse during last week’s Europa League match with Slavia Prague. EDAB was originally created in 2016 and supports the Scottish FA in its equality work and have now made two appointments in Bartley and Ross to strengthen their position.
Bartley has been appointed in response to abuse suffered by Rangers star Kamara. (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Kamara’s incident in the Rangers match will be discussed during an upcoming board meeting, SFA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell saying: “The incident involving Glen Kamara at Ibrox last week demonstrates that society and football still has a lot of work to do to eradicate racism.
“Scottish football’s response shows the commitment to change and EDAB exists to be an agency for change, bringing consensus from across the game on all matters of equality and diversity.
“After witnessing the scenes last Thursday, we contacted Rangers immediately through our equality team to offer our support and guidance through a range of services and we aim to continue that dialogue with any club directly affected by these issues.
Ross has also been appointed (Photo by Alejandro Rios/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
“Scottish football has helped raise awareness of the issue of racism by taking the knee throughout the season but there is an acknowledgment that more needs to be done than a gesture of support, especially in the increasing scourge of racist abuse to players via social media.”
Livingston captain Bartley added: “We have seen all too recently that racism still continues to be a major issue within football and further demonstrates the work that needs done to eradicate it from our game.
“I am eager to join Leanne Ross as an advisor to the Scottish FA, to provide thoughts from a player’s perspective on issues that are extremely close my heart. Recently we’ve witnessed every club in the country pull together and unite against racism and now it’s time for us to continue to make sure no individual is ever left to feel alone or ostracised.
“Rivalries based on the colour of shirt a player wears on a Saturday is healthy but rivalries based on their skin colour is not. Through my new role I’m really looking forward to helping the Scottish FA and EDAB in their equality and diversity aims.”
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