Backlash causes club to end trial of EFL player convicted of sex offences

Backlash from supporters causes a Scottish club to end a trial of a EFL player convicted of sex offences early, it’s been confirmed.

Former Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough United full back Niall Mason will not be joining Dundee with the Dens Park outfit angering their fanbase.

He had initially joined the Dark Blues for training this week, however, there will not be a contract for him at the Scottish Premiership club for the season ahead.

The 24-year-old’s trial brought widespread condemnation from the supporters due to Mason’s conviction for sexual assault.

In January 2019, while playing for Doncaster Rovers, the player was convicted of sexual assault on a woman in a South Yorkshire nightclub.

A court heard how he grabbed her hair and pulled her towards him before putting his hand up her jumper and groping her breast in February 2018.

Mason initially denied the assault before later pleading guilty.

Mason was in action for Peterborough before then being handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and placed on the sex offenders’ register for seven years.

In March 2019, Mason was sacked from Doncaster Rovers as a result of his conviction, and went on to sign for the Posh in June that year.

He was released by the Cambridgeshire club at the end of last season and is now a free agent looking for a new club to join up with.

His career saw his also play youth football for Real Madrid, Al Sadd, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton before he signed his first professional deal at Villa.

More than 250 people signed an open letter penned by journalist and Dundee fan Niall Christie.

OPEN LETTER:

Niall Mason was convicted of sexual assault in 2019. Just three years ago Mr Mason, who was suspended by his club as a result of his conviction, sexually assaulted a stranger in South Yorkshire, grabbed her hair and pulled her towards him before putting his hand up her jumper and groping her breast. (1)

Throughout his trial he maintained his innocence, despite DNA evidence, which would eventually see him plead guilty and given a suspended prison sentence, as well as being placed on the sex offenders’ register – where he remains today. Mason’s victim said she was left devastated and hysterical as a result of the attack.

In March 2019, following the trial, Mason’s then-employers Doncaster Rovers terminated his contract after he decided against appealing his sentence. Mason has since blamed poor legal advice for his eventual guilty plea. (2)

Mason is currently on trial with Dundee FC, and is under consideration for a contract by James McPake and the rest of the management team. (3) In the opinion of the undersigned, this player should be let go immediately and under no circumstances be allowed to represent our club. We believe he does not represent the welcoming, community values that Dundee Football Club and its fans have at their heart, and would be a black mark against both the club and the success of the current team.

Bringing a player with this background into the club would simply be an insult to fans – particularly those among the support who themselves are survivors of sexual abuse. Further to this, the signing of a player with a history of sexual assault – and who remains on the sex offenders register – could be seen as an endorsement of this behaviour, as well as influencing fans – particularly younger supporters.

We wholeheartedly hope that you will take the above on board and ensure that a player with this past is not allowed to continue at Dens.

– LETTER ENDS –

SEE MORE: Wolves bid to sign player who’s serving five-year suspended prison sentence

As mentioned, backlash causes the club to end their trial of the former EFL player convicted of sex offences…

@shel_stewart87: Thank fuck!!!!! 👋👋👋👋

@Forever_The_Dee: Nope nope nope

@Type232: Can’t see why the club would put itself in this position tbh but the boys at the Tully are having a laugh are they not? Same paper that touts Goodwillie as a United hero at every opportunity. Man’s a rapist! #GTF

@teddywatson123: Get this to fuck

@SteakBridie4: he should fit in just fine!

@grayzerpaul: Not a bloody chance. Club need to get rid quick.

@robertson969: Nope, get him away from the club…not welcome!!

@DavidBurry1984: Anything involving sexual assault is s no no imo

@Guest1234514: No thanks, decisions have consequences and his deserves worse than getting a football gig

@JaySorrie11: Dundee FC don’t you even think about it

@unclecotts: Absolutely not, shouldn’t even be considering this

@The_Shed_Talk: But but but goodwillie

@GordonW1970: No thanks, not for me.

@JonBonStovies: Absolutely not! Whoever at the club thought this was a good idea needs to give their head a wobble.

@ytHammyHD: No no no just no

@shel_stewart87: Everyone makes mistakes and deserve a second chance but something about sex offences I just can’t see past so it’s a no from me..

@hibee_mad: Jesus Christ. Shouldn’t even be allowed.

@MarcJWallace: Disgusting, have a think @DundeeFC

@_RachLM: This is grim. He is a vile person for what he done and there is no excuse. He was old enough to know better, only pled guilty due to DNA evidence against him and still insults his victim by claiming he did nothing wrong. Get him out of Scottish football!

@Amoruso1998: These cases can lead to discussions around second chances. I’m all for second chances but I do feel they need to take place away from a public profile that relies on role model like qualities. Good luck to Dundee fans raising concerns over this

@Flemski26: Must have been living under a rock not to notice this! It’s a no from me, surely the rest of the Dundee team can’t be happy with this

@esthergarrow: @DundeeFC CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER come on to fuck

@Stu2904: Scottish football and it’s fans will destroy him

@BroganMcKay2: He’ll be a hit with the fans seen as they share the same interests

pic.twitter.com/3TlOhXqSWJ

— Charles Tonboy (@thebrooner8283) August 18, 2021