Huntly SWFL side fined for refusing to finish match after player 'body shamed' on pitch

Huntly FC Women has hit out at the SWFL after receiving a fine for refusing to continue their cup tie against Rossvale following alleged body-shaming remarks directed towards their player.

During an Scottish Women Football League (SWFL) Regional League Plate game, comments towards one of the Huntly players had left the individual "inconsolable", with the team opting not to leave the dressing room for the second-half.

Huntly were 2-0 down at the time of the alleged incident, and later Rossvale Development announced via social media the Black and Golds' refusal to return had seen the game abandoned - the post was later deleted.

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It is claimed the remarks came from a Rossvale player. The visiting side have since been awarded victory in the last 16 tie, while Huntly were fined £100 for their decision not to complete the fixture.

Huntly FC chairman, Gordon Carter, issued a lengthy statement on Thursday, accepting the decision to award the tie to Rossvale but criticising the SWFL's move to fine the club.

He said: "Huntly Football Club’s Women’s Team had an SWFL last 16 fixture away to Rossvale Development on Sunday, November 17, 2024.

"During the latter stages of the first half one our players was subjected to body shaming remarks from a Rossvale player. Our player was visibly upset to have been on the receiving end of such abuse, she was inconsolable by the time the team got into the changing room for half-time.

"Her teammates were very upset and angry to have witnessed the body shaming incident and that nothing had been done about it. They made the unanimous decision not to continue with the game as a powerful show of support and solidarity, prioritising the wellbeing of the abused player and taking a stance against such unacceptable conduct.

"The decision of our team not to continue with this match was communicated to the match officials and as a result the match was abandoned. The incident was reported to the relevant authorities (SWFL) to ensure that appropriate action is taken. We await the outcome to the complaint we made to the SWFL.

"Despite the fact the complaint is still under consideration the League Management Committee of the SWFL has taken the decision to award the match to Rossvale and fined our club £100 for 'abandoning the game.'

"Whilst we accept the tie being awarded to our opponents, however we will be submitting an appeal against the £100 fine. We feel aggrieved that the LMC have taken this course of action prior to the governing body concluding its investigation of our complaint.

"The victim of abuse and her teammates are being punished her for taking a collaborative decision to make a stand against such unacceptable abuse. As a club we stand proudly by their strength of character to take such a decision in the absence at that point in the game of any punishment being administered to the perpetrator of the abuse.

"There is no room for body shaming or indeed any form of discrimination in football and we will continue to advocate for respect and inclusivity in our sport.

"As a club we will offer our full support to the layer subjected to the abuse and the entire team during this very difficult and challenging time. We thank our supporters and the wider football community for their understanding and solidarity in dealing with this matter. We will update you when the SWFL publish their response to our complaint about the body shaming incident."

A spokesperson for Scottish Women’s Football said: "Unfortunately, Scottish Women’s Football can often receive complaints about allegations of abusive language being made at games across the county, including a recent report from Huntly. All of these are investigated by SWF and receive the attention they deserve.

"Our codes of conduct are clear that players and officials must respect the referee and their opponents, including not using abusive language, of which body shaming is included.

"The decision to not fulfil the fixture also impacted competition rules which the League Management Committee made a decision on, and which Huntly have a right to appeal."