Lasse Uusivirta will not play for the Glasgow Clan after the Elite League club revoked his signing following backlash from supporters over rape charges levelled against the 33-year-old.
The franchise has also suspended chief executive Gareth Chalmers and head coach Malcolm Cameron, pending an investigation into the “major situation” surrounding the acquisition of the Finnish defenceman.
In a statement published on the Clan’s website, chairman Neil Black wrote: “At 19:45 last night, I was made aware for the first time of a major situation which merits further internal investigation and this has led to the immediate suspension of both Gareth Chalmers and Malcolm Cameron.”
Glasgow announced the signing of Uusivirta at 19:00 on Thursday [29 September], publishing an interview with the player and a press release about his arrival.
Lasse Uusivirta’s move to the Glasgow Clan was revoked after fan backlash (Image: Glasgow Clan)
After widespread criticism, the Clan pulled all communications about Uusivirta and announced that he “will not be signing for the club” in a social media post published at 21:21.
If not for Glasgow’s U-Turn, the Espoo-born defender would have been eligible to debut versus the Belfast Giants in the Challenge Cup on Friday [30 September].
Why was there backlash to the Glasgow Clan signing Lasse Uusivirta?
Uusivirta was arrested and charged with first-degree rape while playing in the NCAA for the University of Alabama in Huntsville in April 2013.
He returned to Finland weeks later, in a move state prosecutors called “self-deportation”. After he left the United States, prosecutors said they would not seek his return to the country but stressed he was not cleared of the charges issued against him.
Trigger Warning: s/a
Yesterday, the Glasgow Clan announced the signing of Lasse Uusivirta.
Hours later, the deal was cancelled after fans learned of rape charges against the player.
Today, the club suspended its head coach and CEO.
Here’s what I know — Thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/TOaltIZ1Yr
— Luke James (@LukeJames_32) September 30, 2022
Jason Scully-Clemmons, then an Assistant District Attorney in Maddison County, said: “Our understanding is that he has no intention of coming back to the country. Basically, he’s out on bond. I think he decided it was in his best interests to leave the country and never come back and he’s probably right about that. If he comes back, we’ll prosecute him.”
Chris Long, the attorney representing the alleged survivor, added: “What he’s looking at is there’s no statute of limitations on a rape charge. If he comes back to the U.S., a warrant will issue for his arrest. From that standpoint, I would expect to never see him back in this country.”
In the Clan’s now-deleted video interview with Uusivirta, a club official inaccurately suggests that the player was “absolutely cleared of any charges”.
Since returning to Europe, Uusivirta has played for clubs in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Austria, and Italy.
Lasse Uusivirta, formerly of Ritten/Renon (Image: Ritten/Renon)
The Clan return to the Braehead Arena in anticipation of protests from supporters, with some vowing to boycott tonight’s game.
Glasgow Clan Live, an unofficial fan page, tweeted: “After this morning’s statement and a lot of thinking, I will be attending tonight’s game to support the players on the ice. It’s not their fault that poor cultural decisions continue to be made above them. I have donated what I usually spend on game night to Glasgow Clyde Rape Crisis.”
Another social media user wrote: “As a family, we have decided to go tonight. Not for the Clan but for the players. It’s going to be hard enough for them to out onto that ice tonight: they deserve better. We will not wear [team] colours or spend a penny in the arena tonight.”
Finally, another added: “If there are any Belfast Giants fans coming to Glasgow, please do the Clan fans a favour and let your voices be heard. Many of us Clan fans are making a statement with their feet by not going, you need to make a statement vocally in the arena.”
