The workings, or failings, of the SFA and SPFL were laid bare to a live television audience as Neil Doncaster and Andrew McKinlay were quizzed by MSP’s about child related matters.
Away from the favoured committee room structures of Hampden the two men cut a highly uncomfortable picture as they attempted to defend and justify the footballing authorities failure to implement basic protection matters.
During the debate it was revealed that football agents, many trying to set up schoolboy players with clubs, only have to self declare relevant disclosures!
While failing to achieve any level of success on the pitch the SFA and SPFL have always prided themselves on being sound and competent administratively with a power point presentation and mission statement for every eventuality.
It seems strangely similar to clubs being able to apply their own interpretation to overdue social payables, tax bills to most of us.
After hearing Doncaster and McKinlay explain and justify football’s unique take on child protection which allows agents to operate and transfer/compensation fees reaching £30,000 for school children MSP Brian Whittle summed up his shock.
The former Olympic athlete said: “I find it absurd that we’re using words like wages and agents and compensation for kids who should be out playing the game, enjoying the game and falling in love with the game.
“I just don’t understand how this current system in any way shape or form looks after their welfare of the child. I’m getting so angry I think it’s insane.”
Earlier Doncaster had said: “We have in place a fair and balanced system that respects the rights of children, that offers an incentive for clubs to invest in development of young players and protects the rights of children within that.”
Having had their own incompetence shown up nationally the football authorities may find that their government funding is put under more scrutiny.
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