sport news Scottish referees will not see prospects suffer after coming out as gay, vows ... trends now
Referees chief Crawford Allan urged the football world to support two refs who have become the first male Scottish officials to come out publicly as gay.
Craig Napier and Lloyd Wilson went public on their sexuality in separate interviews released on Thursday.
Citing the inspiration of gay players Josh Cavallo of Adelaide United and Jake Daniels of Blackpool, the two category-one whistlers vowed to fight the taboo surrounding homosexuality in the men's game.
Informed of their desire to go public two weeks ago, SFA head of referees Allan was quick to offer support as well as reassurance that their promotion prospects would *not* be affected by the decision to come out.
Craig Napier became the first elite Scottish referee to come out as gay on Thursday
Appealing to football players, officials and fans to give Napier and Wilson their full backing, he told Sportsmail: 'I hope supporters and clubs react to this in a positive way.
'The world of football should come together and support anybody who speaks out bravely on this issue.
'I have referred quite a lot to the football family of clubs, players, managers and referees.
'Yes, we are at loggerheads sometimes over the course of 90 minutes, but we are all part of that family.
'Without any one of those stakeholders, football doesn't function - so let's hope what Craig and Lloyd have said will make a difference.
'I think there is a fear that football still retains some stigma or culture of intolerance and if we can help to break that barrier down then we are absolutely happy to offer our support.'
Napier, 32, was first to go public with a video released via the SFA. Wilson, 31, followed suit by releasing his own video via mental health organisation Back Onside on Thursday morning.
Another Scottish official, Lloyd Wilson, then followed Napier by also coming out as gay
Both appealed to others to do likewise in a bid to destigmatize
