The Elite League has never been short on high-profile incidents or controversy.
What is currently happening with the Glasgow Clan however is beyond the pale.
Fans are outraged, sponsors are pulling financial support and those who hold the power within the club are largely silent.
On Thursday 29th September, the Glasgow Clan announced the signing of Lasse Uusivirta.
A quick google search of the player by Glasgow fans had them immediately outraged.
TW: rape/assault
The Finnish defenseman was arrested and charged with first-degree rape in 2013 following an incident at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) in January of that year.
He admitted to campus police officers that he had non-consensual sex with another student but the matter was never reported by the campus cops to the local police department.
Said student was contacted by the university’s police sergeant and notified that Uusivirta had confessed to raping her.
Uusivirta appealed his expulsion from UAH, allowing him to remain on campus and continue to play ice hockey for the university’s team.
After being arrested and charged with first-degree rape in April, Uusivirta fled America to his native Finland to avoid an indictment (and has never returned).
Prosecutors said they wouldn’t seek to bring him back to the country to face the charge but that if he ever did return, the charge would be waiting for him.
Facing a backlash from fans regarding the signing, Glasgow quickly backtracked, removing all social media posts Uusivirta, and saying the player had now not been signed.
The club were absolutely aware of the 33-year-old’s past.
It was highlighted in an interview Glasgow Clan filmed with Uusivirta to promote his signing, claiming he was “cleared of all charges.”
Interviewer Craig Anderson asked, “Being mindful, is it something you have to prepare for when you move to a new club, that you might need to speak about it?”
Uusivirta: “Yeah, it’s something me and my agent always either ourselves bring it up or it comes up but it’s something I prefer to talk about because obviously it’s out there and you can easily find the headlines about it.”
TW: rape/assault END
This has led to a chain of events as follows.
Friday 30th September 2022
Owner Neil Black releases a statement.
“At 19:45 last night. I was made aware for the first time of a major situation which merits further internal investigation and this has led to the immediate suspension of both the Clan Chief Executive Gareth Chalmers & the Clan Head Coach Malcolm Cameron.”
A further press release that same day.
“The Glasgow Clan can announce that player-assistant coach Stephen Dixon will take charge of the team this weekend. The 38-year-old has agreed to take on coaching duties for the two Challenge Cup games, starting with Belfast Giants tonight (face off 7.30pm) and tomorrow’s contest at SSE Arena. He will be assisted by Dyson Stevenson and Shawn Boutin on the bench.”
Tuesday, October 4th 2022
Owner Neil Black releases a second statement.
“I have now concluded my internal investigation into the events which led to the suspension of both Malcolm Cameron and Gareth Chalmers on Thursday 29 September.
As a result of my findings, the Glasgow Clan are with immediate effect making the following changes to the management and reporting structure of the On Ice activities of the Clan.
Malcolm Cameron will return to his role as Head Coach, reporting to a newly appointed Clan GM whose role and appointment replaces that of the current Clan Chief Executive.
We hope to be able to confirm the Clan GM appointment in the coming weeks. In the meantime the Head Coach will now report directly to the Clan Chairman until the Clan GM appointment is confirmed.
The Club sincerely apologises to anyone upset by recent events.”
So the outcome is that Head Coach Malcolm Cameron keeps his job, and the fate of former GM Gareth Chalmers is unclear.
No apology to fans or sponsors. Not even an acknowledgement of making any kind of mistake or error.
A tone-deaf response to a critical misjudgement by one or more people working for the Glasgow Clan.
All while not forgetting that Glasgow released a statement on September 26 ‘apologising’ for poor results and performances to begin the season.
A club that can apologise for three weeks’ worth of poor performances and results, stating they will rectify the issue. But on issues that really matter, ignorance and apparent disdain.
The response from Glasgow Clan fans has been incredible.
Some have boycotted games.
Others have chosen to support the team on the ice by attending games but refusing to wear team colours or buy Glasgow merchandise/spend money on game night fundraising activities.
Callum Yorke set up a just-giving page to raise funds to support Glasgow/Clyde Rape Crisis.
Set a nominal goal of £1000, it has surpassed that at £2000 and counting.
If you wish to donate, you can here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hockeyfanssupport
Thursday, 6th October 2022
Glasgow’s Title Sponsor suspends support in a damning statement released on Twitter.
That was followed by two club sponsors also suspending their support of the Clan.
Proximo 3
Indigo Unified Communications
Friday, 7th October 2022
Three further club sponsors pulled the plug.
Neil Black released a statement via the official team website late in the afternoon.
The following is taken word for word from https://clanihc.com/statement-neil-black-clan-chairman/
Hi Clan Fans
I wanted to take this opportunity to reach out to you all on the back of recent events
I have been the very proud Owner and Chairman of the Glasgow Clan for 12 years and in that time we have experienced many highs and lows. Without question, as owner and I’m sure for you as fans, the last week has been the lowest of those lows.
Let me start properly by saying this – and unequivocally – I am as shocked and appalled at the nature of recent events as you all are. I was only made aware of the situation late last Thursday evening.
We are profoundly sorry about everything that has happened and I completely appreciate why there is so much anger out there.
It has been an incredibly complex situation to navigate for many reasons. Some of which you, the fans will be aware of, but there are some factors I have also been legally advised to strongly consider, that you will likely not be aware of and that I have been advised not to speak publicly on.
I have spoken to various authorities both here in the UK and in the US as I concluded the investigation into what transpired last week and the nature of those events. The decisions I made on the back of that investigation is what I could actually do, without risk of legal ramifications elsewhere. Due to the potential of legal issues, my hands are tied which prevents me from saying what I want to say or do.
I am extremely disappointed that any supporter of the club or sponsor is wavering in their support. We need every single fan and sponsor. While the team is having a tough time on the ice, anything negative happening off it only exacerbates the difficulties. We of course look forward to supporting charities and causes at the appropriate time, continuing the superb work of the Club over the last twelve years.
I want to extend an open hand to all of our sponsors. I will be recontacting those who I spoke with prior and will try to contact those next week, who with apologies, I have been unable to contact this week due to the pressing nature of the recent events
I would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate that from this point moving forwards, there will be a new internal process implemented to all hiring – a process that will end with the Chairman having a full and transparent overview of every single hire we wish to make in the Organisation
However in light of everything, ultimately as Chairman of the Club, the buck stops with me, the Chairman has to take some responsibility for all the people within the Organisation.
Bearing that in mind, after 12 years as Owner, now is the time to explore the opportunity to put the Glasgow Clan up for sale or to seek a broader Ownership Group. I believe a new or broader Ownership Group could re-invigorate this fantastic franchise and fanbase. It is what you as fans deserve.
I want to repledge again what this great club is all about and will be going forwards. Community, Charity, Inclusiveness and coming together as one to support our team in Purple in what is the greatest sport on Earth.
To end, let me reiterate again my utter revulsion, disappointment, and anger at what transpired last week. Finally while I appreciate and understand the hurt done and feeling, I would like to issue a rallying call to of our fans, sponsors, players and staff, to come together as one, to ensure the continued existence of this great club and to guide it through to an exciting and successful future.
Neil Black calling out sponsors and fans for wavering in their support is the most telling and damning paragraph in this entire statement. Tone-deaf does not even do it justice.
The apology, such as it is, feels forced and he could have easily posted the majority of this statement much earlier without incurring any legal issues. We are of course taking him at his word in that regard.
The ultimate cop-out statement was completed by the fact that Neil Black now wants out.
For all intents and purposes, it seems he wishes to rid his hands of the Glasgow Clan at this point. That’s not a way to get the fans or sponsors back on board either, especially with uncertainty hanging around the neck of the hockey club.
It would have been better for all concerned had he reconciled the current position, gotten the club back on its feet, the fans back onside and everyone moving in a positive direction.
According to their website, Glasgow is currently left with seven club sponsors.
Ogilvie Group, Xtensive web design and marketing, ActionCoach, KTR, Consult Lift Services, Firth Choice Utilities and Cre-8-Ive.
There are also four club sponsors in NB, Warrior, Mediadog and the Clan’s Official Supporters Club.
How many of those companies will now decide to opt-out or suspend support for the club in the coming hours, days and weeks?
Commercial Manager Gerry McLaughlin walked away, presumably in the wake of everything that has occurred, though he denied as such in a video on Twitter.
Craig Anderson has also resigned from the club), posting this statement from his personal Twitter account.
The Clan has only two figureheads remaining, Head Coach Malcolm Cameron and Owner/Chairman Neil Black. The fate of Gareth Chalmers is still unknown and he could easily still be working in the background.
The next game for Glasgow is on home ice this coming Saturday.
Your guess is as good as mine as to whether fans will even attend at this juncture.
It’s far from hyperbole to suggest Glasgow Clan are a team in crisis.
A colossal amount of damage has been done to the image of the Glasgow Clan.
The longer this saga continues, the worse position Glasgow will find itself in by the time it’s resolved.
Trust can be re-earned, and a new image can be rebuilt but is there someone, or a new group willing to take on the task at hand?
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