TV presenter walks out of Scottish Football Writers dinner over sexism

TV presenter Eilidh Barbour was among guests who left Sunday’s Scottish Football Writers’ Association gala dinner in Glasgow because of a sexist speech made by a man at the event.

Barbour, who has worked as a broadcaster for the likes of BBC and Sky Sports, tweeted that she had “never felt so unwelcome in the industry” and stressed that there was still a lot of work to be done with regard to gender equality in football. 

The controversy arose after a speaker, who apparently works professionally on the after-dinner speaking circuit, made a string of jokes that were deemed “sexist and racist” by members of the audience. 

The SFWA has apologised to anyone who was “offended or upset” by the speech. 

Barbour was among two tables of guests who were so offended that they walked out of the dinner in protest. 

Taking to Twitter, the presenter wrote: “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.”

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

Meanwhile, Gabriella Bennett, who was also at the awards dinner, echoed Barbour’s feelings. 

“I was at these awards tonight and sat through the same sexist and racist jokes made by a keynote speaker,” she said. “My table walked out at the same time Eilidh’s did.”

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 https://t.co/aEAV4VqLtn

The journalist and author expanded on