Great Britain
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

Glasgow Clan sponsors to "evaluate" relationship with team after Lasse Uusivirta signing

Sponsors are threatening to walk away from the Glasgow Clan after they signed a player facing an alleged rape charge.

The ice hockey team, which plays in Braehead, announced it had signed Lasse Uusivirta on Thursday evening.

But it was revealed within minutes that the 33-year-old had allegedly been charged with first degree rape in the United States in 2013.

By 9.30pm the same night, the club was forced to confirm the Finnish defence man would not be joining the team.

It is understood the Clan were aware of the alleged crime when the defence player was added to the squad.

Over the weekend, the club’s title sponsors Aspray Glasgow West said it would “evaluate its relationship with the club” when an internal investigation into the signing is completed.

Renfrewshire Live, the new free app dedicated to bringing you around the clock breaking news, is now available to download.

Powered by the Paisley Daily Express, Renfrewshire Live is your go-to source for news, features and sport with live coverage provided direct to the app, seven days a week.

The dedicated team of experienced journalists, responsible for the publication of the award-winning Express, will focus on breaking news, day and night, across Renfrewshire’s towns and villages.

There is also a dedicated St Mirren section that will follow every kick of the ball with the Buddies.

Available on both Android and Apple. Download here: smarturl.it/RenfrewLiveSocial

The company is the title sponsor for the Glasgow Clan, making it one of the club’s biggest financial partners.

John Strange, managing director of Aspray Glasgow West, said: “Regarding the past couple of days, Aspray Glasgow West utterly condemns the move to sign this player and the message that sent.

“We await the outcome of the internal investigation and will evaluate our relationship with the club upon the results of this investigation.”

The announcement came 24 hours after Glasgow Clan confirmed it was suspending chief executive Gareth Chalmers and head coach Malcolm Cameron as a result of their alleged role in the signing of Uusivirta.

Uusivirta was at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2013 when he was allegedly charged with rape but returned to Finland before he could be brought to trial.

Prosecutors have since said they would not seek to have him returned to the USA to face justice but insisted the charge would remain awaiting his return.

Rape Crisis Scotland has since lambasted the club for signing the player.

Issuing a statement, the charity said sports teams must show that violence against women will not be tolerated.

It said: “Signing men who have been accused of sexual crimes sends the entirely wrong message, it says that men’s athletic abilities are worth more than the lives of the women they’ve harmed.

“These decisions can be retraumatising for survivors and decision-makers must be held accountable for the harm caused by their actions.”

The charity added: “While we are frustrated and disappointed that sports club officials have again put sport over survivors, we have been heartened by the response from fans.

“Fans of Glasgow Clan have stood in solidarity with survivors by objecting to the signing so powerfully that the decision has become untenable.

“We want to thank them for taking a stand and supporting survivors.

“There’s a long way to go in tackling men’s violence against women and girls in sport, but fans in Scotland have been clear, they will no longer tolerate it. It’s past time that decision-makers follow their lead.”

Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here