By Democrat reporter
An organisation representing Scottish sports writers has apologised after an awards event speech prompted a walkout.
TV presenter Eilidh Barbour was among guests who left Sunday’s Scottish Football Writers’ Association (SFWA) gala dinner in Glasgow in protest.
Ms Barbour tweeted that she had “never felt so unwelcome in the industry” while others have described the jokes as “sexist, racist and homophobic”.
The SFWA said it apologised to anyone “offended or upset” by the speech.
It has also promised to review and improve the format of the annual dinner, which involves the presentation of awards including player and manager of the year.
The controversy centred on jokes made in a speech by Bill Copeland, a lawyer who works on the after-dinner speaking circuit.
Meanwhile, Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou, pictured right, says the jokes at Sunday’s Scottish Football Writers’ Association awards dinner were “not appropriate”.
But the Australian, who received the manager of the year award, thinks it should be “a teaching moment” for the organisers and Scottish football.
“The content was probably not appropriate,” Postecoglou said. “To be honest, I don’t even know if it’s appropriate at anything.
“You can turn it into a controversy, but I just don’t think people learn anything from that – make it a teaching moment to be better for the people who have responsibility of organising those nights.”
Caption: TV presenter Eilidh Barbour was upset at “sexist, racist and homophobic” jokes.