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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

Craig Napier praised by Bobby Madden after becoming first Scottish referee to come out

East Kilbride's Bobby Madden has hailed refereeing counterpart Craig Napier's decision to come out publicly as gay a progressive move for Scottish football.

Napier joins footballers Adelaide United's Josh Cavallo and Blackpool's Jake Daniels in coming out during the last 12 months.

Both of those men inspired Napier's decision to make the move, something he never thought would happen.

A category one official, he took charge of 32 SPFL and domestic cup fixtures last season alongside his job working in the NHS.

Madden - who hails from EK - reckons it's shows football's growing inclusivity.

He said on social media: "Football for everyone. It's not about the individual.

"It's about providing an environment where everyone can be themselves. Well done young man.

Speaking to the Scottish FA, Napier said: "It's something that I never thought I'd be sitting here doing.

"It's something I've obviously lived with for a long time. It's been a difficult journey to get to this point. It's really important that people like me are willing to sit here and do this.

"I don't think this needs to be a news story but I think at the moment, it really does. This isn't a conversation about me, this is a conversation about trying to change the culture in Scottish football.

"We need to see the climate change so that people do feel that they can be their true self and live happily and comfortable in their own skin. And then that needs to transcend into football."

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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