Pars satisfied with stars' photo explanation
Published 23 Aug 2012 18:25
THE PARS have issued a statement insisting they are "satisfied" with the explanation given by young stars Paul Willis and Ryan Thomson over this photograph which has has received national media coverage today.
The snap appeared on social media sites and appeared to show the pair mocking a homeless woman in Edinburgh.
But the duo have insisted that, far from mocking the woman pictured, their attention was caught by the site of the dog in the photograph playing with a ferret and Pars officials insist the the snap has been taken "entirely out of context" in the national and social media.
A spokesperson for the Pars said, "Although we too were initially very shocked by the image, we are now satisfied, after speaking to both players, that the photo of Paul Willis and Ryan Thomson appearing on Facebook and Twitter has been taken entirely out of context.
"The two young Dunfermline Athletic players were surprised to see the dog (in the photograph) with a ferret and the lady having to separate the two pets, as had most of the passers-by in the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh at the time.
"They are in no way laughing or mocking the woman in the picture as has been widely suggested."
Paul Willis added, "We did not mean any harm in any way, it was just a remarkable sight to see the dog with the ferret so we commented on it and what we thought was a private picture was taken.
"It was in no way meant to be offensive to the woman in the picture and it was never our intention to bring the club into disrepute.
"We would like again to apologise sincerely for any offence taken."
The Pars have confirmed through official sources that the lady does often bring both pets to accompany her, verifying the sequence of events.
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 23 Aug 12
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