A wheelchair footballer whose death shocked the sport left behind a dossier alleging persistent bullying in the sport.Ayrshire Tigers captain James Doull was hailed as a “true legend” of powerchair football when he died in May.
His passing was marked in a motion at the Scottish Parliament, where he was lauded as an “inspiration to others”.The death of 34-year-old James, who had spina bifida, came three months after he penned a heartbreaking letter of complaint, which laid down claims of bullying and harassment over a four-year period.
His letter sparked an urgent investigation by the Scottish Powerchair Football Association.When approached by the Daily Record, the SPFA claimed that no allegations against the organisation or individuals were upheld.
But the probe led to a raft of recommendations designed to overhaul its management procedures.Now James’s parents have called for a higher level inquiry into bullying within disabled football in Scotland.