Source: FOOTYMAD
Thomson Still Under Fire
There will be no hiding place in football for Craig Thomson Craig Thomson may have thought that his apology on the Hearts official website would have pulled a cover over his indiscretion which resulted in him being placed on the sex offenders register for five years. Some hope. He owned up to lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour over the internet to two under-age girls. The fine of £4,000 is a mere trifle compared to the death of his future in football which looks likely to happen. While his club had decided to stand by him, others are calling for his head. Chief executive of Children 1st, Ann Houston, was not holding back in condemning Hearts decision as "unacceptable". She went on: "We must use this particular instance to send a clear message that children have the right to be happy and healthy, safe and secure in everything that they do. We all have a responsibility to make that happen. Not taking action to protect children from the risk of sexual harm is unacceptable. Allowing convicted sex offenders to continue working where they will have direct and indirect contact with children is wrong. There is no place in our society for role models who have been convicted of sexual offences, no matter what talents they might have. We would hope that everyone in football, and particularly the Scottish Football Association, who are the primary governing body in Scottish football, would agree." Hearts fan, MSP David McLetchie did not have much time for the club's decision either. He said: "I am surprised that Hearts are retaining the services of Craig Thomson, given the seedy and unsavoury nature of his offences. The fact that the club places a high value on the work that it does with the community and the fact that footballers are supposed to aspire to be role models for young people - I do find it surprising."
