Club Statement - SPFL Tribunal Ruling 29th April 2021

EAST FIFE FOOTBALL CLUB STATEMENT

SPFL TRIBUNAL RULING 29^th APRIL 2021

By now you will all be aware that East Fife players refused to play our scheduled SPFL League 1 game against Clyde on Tuesday (27th April 2021). We were informed that a Clyde FC player had returned a positive COVID-19 test result only two minutes ahead of the scheduled 7.00pm kick off.

At that time, the player had been in the dressing room and warming up with the other players before being withdrawn after the positive result came to light. When our players and management were informed of this, they took the stance that the risk of infection was too great, leaving the match referee no option other than to postpone the match.

The decision of the players and management was fully backed by myself & the board of directors of East Fife Football Club.

We received a notice of complaint from the SPFL on Wednesday (28th April 2021) charging us with breaching SPFL rules G5 & G53 in that we failed to fulfil a scheduled league fixture, a charge we immediately accepted.

A tribunal was convened yesterday (29th April 2021) at which we were able to put forward our reasons for reaching our decision on Tuesday night. We were treated very cordially by the tribunal panel who listened to our case but informed us that the game should have been played as the risk of transmission of COVID-19 between players on the field of play is very low.

We do understand, particularly at this difficult time, that the importance of completing the fixtures is paramount and that any postponement at this stage of the season could have had a serious implication on the completion of the league programme.

After deliberation, the tribunal panel informed us that we would be fined £11,000, with £10,000 suspended, and that the game against Clyde FC would be rescheduled for next Thursday (6th May 2021). We accept the decision of the tribunal unreservedly.

I would like to put on record that East Fife Football Club does not apportion any blame on our friends at Clyde FC. They were also placed in a difficult situation and we look forward to playing them next Thursday.

Lastly, we have been overwhelmed by messages of support, not only from our own fans but the whole Scottish Football Community. The setting up of a GoFundMe page has raised a staggering amount of money in a matter of hours and we have been contacted by others offering financial support. We are eternally grateful for the support and financial backing shown to us during a difficult week.

Jim Stevenson

Chairman

East Fife Football Club, Locality Hub Bayview Stadium, Harbour View, Methil, Fife, KY8 3RW

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 01333 426323

Social Media Boycott

East Fife Football Club will be joining with clubs across Scotland in boycotting social media this weekend.

Scottish football has united to support a boycott of social media in response to continuing racist and discriminatory abuse online aimed at players, staff, supporters and others associated with the game.

Clubs across the country will join the Scottish FA, Scottish Professional Football League, Scottish Women’s Football and PFA Scotland in switching-off all social media activity from 15:00 on Friday 30 April and will remain silent until 23:59 on Monday 3 May.

Clubs are invited to take part by switching off their channels or ensuring any limited posting during that time include recognition of the campaign hashtag #FootballUnites.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Discrimination of any kind has absolutely no place in Scottish football and the online abuse received by some of those involved in our national game is absolutely abhorrent. The SPFL is committed to ensuring that Scottish football is inclusive and welcoming to all.

“Players and supporters from diverse backgrounds have played, and continue to play, an enormously positive and valued role in our game. Diversity is part of what makes Scottish football what it is, it should be protected and championed.

“As a society, we all have a responsibility to stamp out abusive behaviour and ensure that everyone, regardless of background, can enjoy football in this country without fear of receiving hate-filled messages online.

“Social media provides a wonderful platform for clubs of all sizes to communicate with their fans. It’s a platform that our clubs have used to great effect in recent years but it is also a medium that is being abused by a vile and mindless minority. These cowards often hide behind anonymous accounts and it is incumbent upon social media companies to actively and aggressively combat this problem.

“The SPFL will continue to work with our member clubs and partners, including Show Racism the Red Card, the Scottish FA and Police Scotland to drive home the message that there’s no place in our game for discrimination of any kind.”

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “The Scottish FA is encouraged that football has united against the growing scourge of online abuse and we are proud to play our part in supporting the social media boycott.

“Through the work of our Equality and Diversity Board we have set up Football Unites, an equality framework that underlines our commitment to fairness, justice, respect, inclusion and the removal of barriers.

“At our recent summit meeting involving clubs and representatives of the game we witnessed a groundswell of people motivated to tackle inequality in all its forms. We are also in dialogue with social media companies to ensure adequate preventative measures are put in place to tackle the specific issue of online abuse via those channels.”

Vivienne MacLaren, Scottish Women’s Football Chair: “The exposure the women's game continues to get across all media channels is extremely exciting for us all. What has sadly come along with this wider reach has been an increase in abusive and discriminatory language targeted at those involved in our game. This has been particularly prevalent on social media and we have made it very clear we will not tolerate this. 

“We hope that this action reminds media owners that they must stand up to this abusive behaviour and make perpetrators think twice.”

Fraser Wishart, PFA Scotland Chief Executive: “PFA Scotland has long supported campaigns against all forms of discrimination and our members have kept the issues of racism and social injustice in the public eye this season. The social media boycott is another way for our members to continue to raise awareness around the issue. However, gestures alone are not enough: the abuse online by those hiding behind their keyboard must stop.

“We call upon social media companies to engage in meaningful dialogue with a view to providing a mechanism to stop and report all forms of abuse to the relevant authorities. Comments can be hurtful to players and their families and have a profound effect on their lives. In 2021 our members deserve much better.”

Show Racism the Red Card campaign manager Jordan Allison said: “Through social media, players are on the receiving end of targeted hatred on an almost daily basis. These deeply traumatising experiences are enabled by platforms that put the monetisation of footballers before their welfare.

“Our charity fully supports this united stance from Scottish football and believes it should mark the beginning of a powerful campaign that urges social media companies and governing bodies to address the concerns of black and ethnic minority players and supporters.

“Show Racism the Red Card is providing educational infographics to all clubs for use across their channels ahead of the boycott beginning. Supporters are encouraged to share these graphics in order to amplify the message and help educate as many people as possible on how to recognise online abuse, how to stay safe online, how to support victims of racism and how to report racism online.

“With young people across the country still absorbing our players’ efforts to support the anti-racism movement, our education charity will back any stance that aims to create a society for our future generation free from racism. Social media can and must do more.”

Club Statement - Postponement of Tonight's Match Against Clyde

We can confirm that tonight’s SPFL League One match against Clyde at Broadwood was postponed.

The club were only made aware of a positive test for COVID-19 within the Clyde camp as the players were entering the field of play before kick-off. We understand the test was taken on Saturday with the result only confirmed around 20 minutes before kick-off.

After discussion between the SPFL and representatives of both clubs, we were informed that the match could go ahead but having consulted with the management and players, the Board of Directors fully back the decision not to proceed with the fixture.

Finally, we would like to pass on our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the player involved.

The club will be making no further comment until we have discussed the matter in detail with the SPFL.

Walter Borthwick

It is with great sadness that the club learned of the passing of former player Walter Borthwick.

Born in Edinburgh, Borthwick’s first senior club was Morton, spending two seasons at Cappielow before joining East Fife in October 1967. Jimmy Bonthrone, the man in charge at Bayview was looking towards youth in his efforts to steer the club back to the top flight after a nine year absence. The 19 year old forward made a scoring debut in a 3-1 win at home to Stranraer and added a further eight goals before the end of the campaign as the team just missed out on a return to the first division, finishing in third position four points behind second placed Arbroath.

1968-69 saw East Fife again finish third in the table, with Borthwick now established in the side as a strong tackling inside forward. The Fifers had started and finished the season strongly but a dip in form at the turn of the year left them with just too much to do to catch Motherwell and Ayr United.  

The departure of Jimmy Bonthrone to join Eddie Turnbull’s coaching team at Aberdeen and the appointment of Bill Baxter in the summer of 1969 brought further change, significantly with the addition of ex Scotland Internationalists John Martis and Pat Quinn to the Bayview ranks. Initial league results were disappointing but with Borthwick, by now operating as a wing half, the club embarked on a Scottish Cup run that had the crowds flocking back to Bayview. After comfortably disposing of local rivals Raith Rovers 3-0 they saw off the challenge of another first division outfit in Morton to reach the quarter finals of the competition for the first time since 1950. With 14,994 fans looking on the Methil men lost out to visitors’ Dundee by a solitary goal, but the Fifers had served notice that the good times were just around the corner. It was no surprise that the hard working Borthwick was voted player of the year for his efforts.

The following season promotion was at last secured under Pat Quinn, with Borthwick missing just four games throughout the campaign, also contributing four goals, including a hat-trick in a 5-1 rout of Stirling Albion in a rare appearance back in the forward line.

Life upstairs provided no shortage of entertainment for the Bayview faithful. After a sticky start the men in black and gold eventually found their first division legs, beating high flying Hibernian in a memorable encounter in January, but a relegation struggle continued to the last day of the season when a Joe Hughes goal at Fir Park earned a draw and finally secured East Fife’s first division status at the expense of Dunfermline Athletic.

The following season as the Fifers consolidated their position in the top league, finishing in a creditable 9th place and qualifying for the Texaco Cup. For Borthwick it was a particularly satisfying season, scoring some spectacular goals such as a late winner against his old club Morton in a thrilling 4-3 win at Bayview. In addition to being voted the player of the year by Buckhaven Supporters’ Club Borthwick’s six years service at Bayview was recognised along with Peter McQuade, Dave Clarke and Dave Gorman. 3,379 fans turned out to pay tribute to the four stalwarts with English first division side Wolverhampton Wanderers providing the opposition in a testimonial match.

1973-74 turned out to be Borthwick’s last season in East Fife colours as the Fifers suffered relegation. After 228 appearances and 35 goals for the club a move to St Mirren ensued, where he would later play under Alex Ferguson. This was followed by short spell with St Johnstone and an even briefer return to Love Street, before a return to Fife to join Dunfermline Athletic. In 1980-81 Borthwick hung up his boots, but continued his love of the game as a coach with Hearts and with the SFA in East Lothian, also managing Arbroath in 1991-92.

Walter Borthwick will be remembered as an industrious versatile player, always with his sleeves rolled up, ready for battle. Off the field he was kind, benevolent and generous and will be sadly missed by the many people he influenced during his time in the game.

East Fife Football Club would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Walter’s family and friends at this sad time.

Post-Split Fixtures

Date	Opponent		Competition	Location	Kick Off Time
24 Apr 2021		Dumbarton	Scottish League 1	Locality Hub Bayview Stadium	3 pm
27 Apr 2021		Clyde	Scottish League 1	Broadwood Stadium	7 pm
29 Apr 2021		Peterhead	Scottish League 1	Locality Hub Bayview Stadium	7 pm
04 May 2021		Forfar Athletic	Scottish League 1	Station Park	7 pm