Source: Team_Talk
Charity welcomes Thomson exit
A children's charity which campaigned for Hearts player Craig Thomson to leave the club have welcomed news of his departure.[LNB] Sunday's announcement completes a U-turn by the club, who had originally said they would stand by Thomson after he pleaded guilty, was fined and placed on the sex offenders' register last month in relation to his inappropriate conduct towards two underage girls over the internet.[LNB]That decision prompted a huge outcry, with many people calling on Hearts to sack the player while one of the club's backers - MacB Water - withdrew their support as official water sponsor of the Jambos, a deal worth more than £5,000.[LNB]Hearts manager Jim Jefferies also expressed his concern at the furore engulfing the club, while former defender Alan McLaren said he hoped Thomson would "not pull on a Hearts shirt again".[LNB]The Tynecastle club responded to the criticism by suspending Thomson two weeks ago, before confirming their intention to release the full-back on Sunday.[LNB]Anne Houston, chief executive of Children 1st, said: "We are relieved that the club now accepts the role it must play in minimising the risk of sexual harm to children.[LNB]"As we have said before, our Safeguarding in Sport initiative would welcome the opportunity to discuss with Hearts, and other clubs, how we might help them with training and procedures on child protection issues.[LNB]"The reason we got involved in this issue was because of our long-standing commitment to protecting children and ensuring they are safe and secure.[LNB]"This decision by Hearts sends a clear message to children and young people that they are valued and that their experiences will be taken seriously."[LNB]A club statement at first put Thomson's misconduct down to "naivety and possible wrong outside influence" before owner Vladimir Romanov released a bizarre tirade against the football "mafia" and "maniacs" who he claimed were conspiring against the club.[LNB]On June 28, Thomson was suspended with immediate effect and two days later police confirmed they were making enquiries into the "possibility that another person has grounds for complaint" against the player.[LNB]Talks have since been ongoing between club officials, the right-back and his representatives with Sunday's announcement coming as no surprise.[LNB]Jefferies believes Thomson's career in Scotland is over, although there is speculation Romanov could offer the player a move to one of his other clubs, FBK Kaunas in Lithuania or MTZ-Ripo in Belarus.[LNB]Jefferies told the Scottish Sun: "It has made it impossible for him to continue in this country.[LNB]"All the signs are he wants to stay in football, but it will have to be done elsewhere."[LNB]The Hearts manager added: "The boy has paid for being very silly, but he's brought this on himself.[LNB]"It will be a hard lesson for him and now he'll have to resurrect his career elsewhere."
