SFWA apologises after guests exit awards night due to ‘sexist and racist jokes’

The Scottish Football Writers’ Association has apologised after an after-dinner speaker made offensive jokes that led to guests including sports broadcaster Eilidh Barbour walking out during its annual awards night.

Barbour declared she had “never felt so unwelcome” in her industry while another guest revealed she had walked out following “sexist and racist jokes”.

The SFWA promised a review of the event, which was attended by award winners including Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou, Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon and former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who received a lifetime achievement award at the dinner in Glasgow on Sunday night.

Barbour wrote on Twitter during the speech: “Never felt so unwelcome in the industry I work in than sitting at the Scottish Football Writers Awards. A huge reminder there is still so much to do in making our game an equal place #callitout #equalgame.”

Gabriella Bennett, the co-chair of Women in Journalism Scotland, wrote: “I was at these awards tonight and sat through the same sexist and racist jokes made by a keynote speaker. My table walked out at the same time Eilidh’s did.”

In a statement on Monday, the SFWA apologised to “anyone offended or upset by material from one of our after-dinner speakers” at the awards night.

It added: “We have agreed unanimously that this will act as a catalyst to review and improve the format of our future events to make it an enjoyable and inspirational event for all.”

Last night's speech was really next level. I walked out after about five minutes and within those five minutes it was rammed with sexist jokes. It's also worth pointing out that there were loads of people laughing at these jokes.- Gabriella Bennett, co-chair of Women in Journalism