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Edinburgh Reporter
3 minutes ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Testimonial to those affected by non-recent sexual abuse in Scottish football
This painting, entitled 'Time' was completed in early 2025 by Scottish artist, Kevin Hunter, after being commissioned by the Scottish FA and guided by the Adult Voices group – a group of people who courageously came forward to share their experiences of abuse in football. The establishment of a permanent testimonial was one of the recommendations of the Independent Review into Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football commissioned in 2016. The review was published in 2021, when the Scottish FA issued an apology to survivors on behalf of the national game as the sport's governing body. The review heard from those who came forward to make others aware of the harm and abuse they experienced through their participation in football. It was set up to consider these issues and to make recommendations for change. The primary objective of the review was to learn, and the voices of those who spoke out have enabled real and effective change to be made to the way that Scottish football protects children and young people. Since the Independent Review there have been many changes to improve the wellbeing and protection of children within Scottish Football. 'Time' was unveiled on Monday evening in the President's Suite at Hampden Park, in a small ceremony. Speaking after the unveiling 'Time', Ian Maxwell, Chief Executive, Scottish FA said: 'Since publication of the Independent Review in 2021, we have considered the recommendations a priority for us, as a board and an association, and this unveiling marks the latest important step. 'Our Wellbeing and Protection Team have made great strides in the past four years, strengthening the robust mechanisms for reporting and managing child wellbeing and protection concerns, and ensuring that there is a trained Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer at every club. 'As acknowledged in the report, Scottish football is forever indebted to the strength and courage of those who spoke out, and we have ensured the wishes of the Adult Voices group were considered at every juncture throughout the completion of this memorial.' Kevin Hunter, Scottish artist and creator of 'Time' added: 'As a keen supporter of the Scotland national team, I was intrigued at the mere possibility of creating a painting for the Scottish FA and Hampden Park. But I soon learned this project was about so much more than football. It had a real weight to it, a deep human story that made the work both incredibly challenging and meaningful. 'I drew inspiration from my own memories of playing football as a child, supplemented by research into old photographs of children playing games in front of tenements and gathered personal stories by speaking with my father and other members of older generations about their own childhoods. 'There were smiles and tears throughout the process, and honestly, moments where I doubted I could create something worthy of the brief. So, when I finally submitted the painting, the feedback I received from the Adult Voices group was more than just a relief—it was a validation of the entire difficult journey. 'The most moving part, though, was receiving personal messages from group members. That wasn't something I ever expected, and it made me feel honoured.' One of the Adult Voices representatives, speaking anonymously, also reflected on the painting. They said: 'I was asked by the Scottish FA to suggest a method of respectfully commemorating a period in Scottish footballing history that has had such a solemn impact upon so many. 'Reflecting upon not just my own thoughts and memories but also the change in thoughts of so many more across the country made my idea of a commissioned painting rather clear. A piece of art or painting can so often capture a cultural bond irrespective of where we grew up and can also transcend time. 'This painting I believe has brilliantly captured the brief and can so easily reflect any town in Scotland at any time in history. It gives everyone the opportunity to reflect, understand and look forward with peace and contentment. I'm thankful to Kevin the artist, whose skill and understanding has managed to put onto canvas the thoughts and memories of a nation. 'Despite my experiences, I have always considered myself lucky. I must thank my family and friends for simply giving me time, space and the courage to help others. I thank the Scottish FA for their selfless commitment and professionalism and understanding, meeting so many and for simply listening.' To access the Wellbeing and Protection Policy and resources please click: Child Wellbeing and Protection Policy | Children's Rights and Wellbeing | Scottish FA If you would like to speak to someone about your own experiences, then you can contact: Police Scotland on 101 NSPCC Helpline for people abused in football: 0800 023 2642 Scottish FA – [email protected] Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
33 minutes ago
- Scotsman
What channel is Celtic v Kairat Almaty? TV and live stream details for Champions League clash
How to watch Celtic v Kairat Almaty Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Celtic begin their European campaign in the Champions League play-off round where they will meet Kazakhstan opposition in the shape of Kairat Almaty. Brendan Rodgers' side host the first leg of the tie at Parkhead on Wednesday before embarking on a 7,000 mile round trip for the return leg next week. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The faltering Scottish coefficient means that Celtic must qualify for the league phase of Uefa's elite competition this year after enjoying direct entry in each of the past three seasons. Kairat Almaty, meanwhile, have already come through three ties to reach this stage, most recently beating Slovan Bratislava 2-1 across two legs. With up to £40million at stake for the winner, the outcome of the tie could determine the type of business Celtic do in the final two weeks of the transfer window. The loser will have the safety net of dropping into the Europa League, where the level of potential prize money is significantly reduced. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Celtic host Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan in the Champions League play-off round first leg on Wednesday. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group Celtic v Kairat Almaty match details The Champions League play-off first leg takes place at Celtic Park, Glasgow, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Kick-off is 8pm. Celtic v Kairat Almaty TV channel The match will be shown live on subscription channel TNT Sports 1. Coverage gets underway at 7.30pm. Celtic v Kairat Almaty live stream TNT Sport subscribers can stream the match live through the discovery+ website or app. Details on how to subscribe can be found here. Celtic v Kairat Almaty team news Celtic have no fresh injury concerns with Portuguese winger Jota the only absentee with a long-term knee issue. Summer signings Kieran Tierney, Benjamin Nygren, Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand, as well as loanee Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, have all been included in the 25-man play-off squad but there is no place for left-back Hayato Inamura, the recent arrival from Japanese football, who head coach Brendan Rodgers says is not "at the level" he'd expect from a Celtic defender. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kairat recently sold its most talented youngster, 17-year-old Dastan Satpaev, to Chelsea but he remains with the Kazakhstani club until he turns 18 next year. Creative midfielder Valery Gromyko is suspended for the first leg due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Celtic v Kairat Almaty referee and VAR Norway's Espen Eksas is the referee with Dennis Higler of the Netherlands on VAR.
Scotsman
43 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Celtic v Kairat Almaty: Champions League play-off dates and Kazakhstan opponents profiled ahead of £25m showdown
Everything you need to know ahead of Celtic v Kairat Almaty Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Celtic now know who stand between them and a place in the Champions League. Brendan Rodgers' side begin their European campaign in the play-off round of UEFA's elite club competition where they will come up against Kairat Almaty as they look to secure a £25million windfall by reaching the league phase. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Their opponents from Kazakhstan have already had to overcome three hurdles, entering the tournament in the first qualifying round, where they inflicted a 3-1 aggregate defeat on Slovenian side Olimpija. A 3-2 aggregate win over Finnish side KuPS then followed, with Kairat overturning a 2-0 first leg deficit despite being reduced to 10 men in the second leg, before they secured a play-off showdown with Celtic by overcoming Slovan Bratislava via a penalty shoot-out after both legs finished 1-1. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the match: Players of Kairat Almaty ahead of their Champions League first qualifying round first leg match against Olimpija in Ljubljana, Slovenia. (Photo by) | Getty Images When is Celtic v Kairat Almaty? The Champions League play-off round first leg between Celtic and Kairat Almaty takes place at Celtic Park on Wednesday, August 20, kick-off 8pm. The second leg will require a 7000-mile round trip for the Hoops with the match set to be staged at the 24,000-capacity Central Stadium in Almaty on Tuesday, August 26, kick-off 5.45pm. Who is the Kairat Almaty manager? Almaty are managed by Kazakh head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin. The 46-year-old earned 12 caps for the national side during his playing career, which was spent almost entirely in his homeland barring a brief spell in Russia. He was appointed Kairat head coach in 2024 but has been with the club for nine years, working his way up from the youth academy to the first team. Kairat Boranbayev, the club chairman, was asked about his future this week amid suggestions his job could be under threat. "Of course we trust Rafael Urazbakhtin," he said. "He has worked hard as our head coach and continues his work. There are no discussions about his future. Any stories suggesting otherwise are made up." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rafael Urazbakhtin, head coach of Kairat Almaty, will pit his wits against Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers in the Champions League play-off. (Photo by) | Getty Images How are Kairat Almaty faring domestically? Kairat are actually in the midst of their current campaign with the Kazakhstan domestic season running from March until October. They are looking to defend the title won in 2024 and sit top of the standings on 43 points after 19 matches, three points ahead of Astana who have a game in hand. Kairat are eight matches unbeaten in the league and face fifth-placed Yelimay Semey at home on Saturday before travelling to Celtic Park. What is Kairat Almaty's European pedigree? Kairat are regulars in the qualifying rounds of UEFA club competitions but have only played group stage football once, in the 2021-22 Conference League, where they finished bottom of their group on two points. They have, however, claimed decent-sized scalps in recent times with victories over AZ Alkmaar in 2018 and Red Star Belgrade in 2015. They last faced Scottish opposition a decade ago, beating Aberdeen 3-2 on aggregate in Europa League qualifying before losing to Bordeaux. Have Celtic and Kairat Almaty met before? This will be the first ever meeting between the two clubs but Celtic are no strangers to Kazakhstan having made three trips to the country over the past 12 years, failing to win on each occasion. Neil Lennon's side lost 2-0 to Shakhter Karagandy at the same stage of Champions League qualification in 2013 but recovered to reach the group stages thanks to a 3-0 win in the return leg at home sealed by a last-minute strike from none other than James Forrest. A 1-1 draw with Astana followed in 2016 under Brendan Rodgers, before a 2-1 home win sealed Champions League progression. Celtic and Rodgers returned to Astana a year later, losing 4-3 away from home on this occasion but after securing a resounding 5-0 win in the first leg at Parkhead. Celtic and Astana players line up before a Champions League play-off at the Astana Arena in August 2017. | SNS Group Who are Kairat Almaty star players? Dastan Satpaev is the rising star of Kazakhstan football. The talented young forward only turned 17 this week but is already a senior Kazakhstan international with a €4million move to Chelsea when he turns 18 in August next year already agreed. His performances for Kairat have earned him comparisons to French star Kylian Mbappé and former Argentina striker Sergio Aguero in the Kazakh newspapers. He has already scored three times in Champions League qualifying this season and will be one of the major dangermen for Celtic to watch, but not the only one. Portuguese striker Jorginho is also a threat while midfielders Valery Gromkyo and Giorgi Zaria also renowned for getting on the scoresheet. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad How does Celtic squad value compare to Kairat Almaty?
