Women's football says no to alcohol and gambling sponsorship

The organisation which runs Scottish women's football will never accept commercial partnerships with companies in the alcohol and gambling industries, according to a leading board member.

Players from each club at the launch of the Scottish Women's Premier League 1 & 2 at Hampden. Picture: Craig Foy/SNS

Speaking on the day when the new league season was launched at Hampden, Vivienne MacLaren, who is director of communications at SWF, said: “We have had approaches from companies in both sectors.

“They asked if we wanted to speak to them about sponsorship. We said no because we want women’s football to be a clean sport, and one which helps to educate young girls.

“There are huge problems, in the west of Scotland especially, with gambling and alcoholism. I think it would be absolutely crazy to allow little girls and women to be running around in strips endorsing these sectors.”

William Hill and Ladbrokes are the major sponsors of Scottish men’s football.