Contract of footballer terminated after conviction over domestic abuse

Paul Tansey subjected his ex-girlfriend to a ten-month long campaign of domestic abuse prior to being signed by Whitehill Welfare.

Whitehill Welfare FC cancel Paul Tansey deal after conviction over abuse of Celtic and Scotland starSNS Group

Paul Tansey has had his contract terminated by Whitehill Welfare after a petition against his signing in the wake of a conviction for assaulting his ex-girlfriend was launched by local fans.

The 37-year-old was sacked by previous club Penicuik Athletic after he was found guilty of subjecting his former partner Lisa Robertson to a ten-month long campaign of domestic abuse.

Tansey, the brother of ex-Celtic and Scotland striker Leigh Griffiths, pled guilty to the charge at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in May.

He was quietly signed to a deal by the Midlothian outfit and started all four of their games so far this season, however he has now been released on the eve of their East of Scotland qualifying cup tie with Kennoway Star Hearts.

A statement on the side’s social media pages read: “Whitehill Welfare FC can confirm that Paul Tansey has left the club.

“We will be making no further comment on this matter.”

Residents in Rosewell previously demanded Tansey’s contract was terminated with “immediate effect” after his signing was made public.

A petition said the community “could not possibly support a person who has very deliberately physically and emotionally harmed others with lasting consequences.”

Tansey headbutted fellow footballer Ms Robertson, who spent last season on loan at Birmingham City from Celtic, checked up on her phone use, and repeatedly accused her of cheating.

The abuse also saw Tansey, who is from Dalkeith, repeatedly contact his ex-girlfriend by phone and text, attending at her home uninvited and threatening to self harm when the pair split.

He was given a five year non-harassment order and 80 hours unpaid work.

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