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Scotland’s first openly gay footballer reflects on his journey to happiness

As a public speaker and activist, the ex-striker currently dedicates his efforts to supporting and advocating for others.

A life-changing decision was made by Zander Murray while sitting on a balcony in Benidorm, one that would ultimately lead to a more fulfilling life.

Zander Murray stands in a crowd at Edinburgh Pride 2023. He has dark hair and a beard and is wearing sunglasses and a rainbow lanyard around his neck. He is also wearing a green and yellow patterned shirt. — Retired footballer Zander Murray at Edinburgh Pride in 2023

After 16 years of secrecy, Murray announced on social media that he was gay, becoming the first senior male player in Scottish football to publicly come out.

Nearly four years later, the former striker reports feeling significantly happier living authentically, now dedicating his time to promoting inclusivity as a public speaker and activist.

Murray, 34, acknowledges that while football has made progress in terms of inclusivity, the men's game in Scotland still lags behind the women's in terms of LGBT visibility.

In an interview with Radio Scotland Breakfast, Murray reflected on his decision to come out, saying he replayed his life and realized the struggle he faced was unnecessary.

A number of footballers on a pitch - some wearing royal blue strips, some wearing black and red strips. In the foreground, Zander Murray takes aim at the ball. — Murray played with Gala Fairydean Rovers where he had scored more than 100 goals

With only a private Facebook account at the time, Murray decided to make a post announcing his sexuality, which he thought would be a low-key move.

However, upon waking up, he was met with an overwhelming response, as media outlets picked up the story, and his post went viral.

What motivated Murray to continue his advocacy work were the thousands of messages he received from people of all ages and backgrounds, including those in football, who were struggling with their own sexuality.

At the time of his announcement, Murray was playing for Gala Fairydean Rovers, a club whose management and players he has since praised for their support.

The outpouring of public support and the knowledge that his story had helped others, including those who had considered taking their own lives, left Murray feeling privileged and driven to continue his work.

Murray credits the positive impact of his story on others as the reason he continues to advocate for inclusivity, saying, "Their lives were touched by my story, and that's what motivated me to keep going."

Murray recalls the difficulties he faced while struggling with his own identity and has come to realize that he was dealing with internalized homophobia.

Internalized homophobia occurs when LGBT individuals absorb and accept negative societal beliefs about their community, leading to self-doubt and shame.

Murray admits to having despised himself in the past, fearing others would discover his true nature, and struggling with feelings of self-hatred.

If he could go back in time, Murray says he would offer his younger self reassurance, telling him that everything would be okay and that he should be proud of who he is.

Now, three-and-a-half years after coming out, Murray is proud to have empowered so many people, giving them the confidence to be their authentic selves.

Since retiring from football in 2024, Murray has become an award-winning keynote speaker, delivering talks on inclusivity in sports to institutions worldwide, including Uefa.

Murray was featured in a BBC Disclosure documentary, Out on the Pitch, which aired in March 2023, exploring the issue of homophobia in football and ways to make the sport more inclusive.

Zander Murray, who has dark hair and a beard, is standing in front of a huge Pride sign. He is wearing a black, long-sleeved shirt, a lanyard around his neck and glasses. He is holding a microphone and smiling. — Murray delivers talks on inclusion in sport

The documentary examined the efforts being made to address homophobia in football and the steps that could be taken to create a more welcoming environment for LGBT players.

Murray points out that of the 130,000 professional male footballers worldwide, none are openly gay or bisexual, a statistic he finds troubling.

However, he believes that organizations such as Football vs Homophobia and the SPFL are working to create a more inclusive environment, and he hopes his own story will inspire others to follow in his footsteps.

Murray's goal is for someone to see the work he is doing and think, "If he can do it, maybe I can too," thus encouraging more players to be open about their sexuality.

This month marks LGBTQ History Month, a time to promote the history and celebrate the lives of LGBT individuals.

Research has shown that LGBT people in Scotland feel more excluded from football than from other sports, highlighting the need for greater inclusivity in the men's game.

Murray notes that the women's game is far more advanced in terms of LGBT acceptance, and he believes this is due to differing perceptions of masculinity.

The women's game, with over 5,000 professional players in Europe, has a significant number of openly LGBT players, which Murray sees as a positive sign.

In contrast, the men's game lacks this level of visibility, but Murray hopes that by breaking down barriers, the sport can become more inclusive.

Murray had no trouble finding over 100 openly LGBT players in the women's game, a stark contrast to the men's game, where there are none.

He believes that the key to creating change lies in continuing to challenge and break down these barriers.

Murray's ultimate goal is to see a future where LGBT players can be open and honest about their sexuality without fear of repercussions, and he hopes to achieve this in the next five to 15 years.

For those struggling with their sexuality in football, Murray's advice is to "ignore the noise" and be true to themselves.

Zander Murray is wearing a dark suit with a tartan tie. He is standing in front of the black door at 10 Downing Street with his hands behind his back while smiling. — Zander was invited to Downing Street recently for his work

He emphasizes the importance of visibility, saying that people need to see others like him, who are openly LGBT, to feel more comfortable being themselves.

By increasing visibility and promoting inclusivity, Murray believes that a cultural shift can occur, one that will ultimately lead to a more welcoming environment for LGBT individuals in football.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.

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Peter Murrell faces allegations of misusing £459,000 in funds over 12 years

Allegations have been made that he bought various items, such as luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome, in an improper manner.

Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, is facing allegations of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

Peter Murrell looking off to his right while sitting in a room. He is wearing a black suit, white shirt and dark coloured tie. — Peter Murrell is due to appear in court next Friday for a preliminary hearing

An indictment document obtained by BBC News outlines the case against Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The alleged embezzlement is said to have occurred between August 2010 and January 2023, according to the indictment.

It is claimed that Murrell used party funds to purchase luxury items, including jewellery, cosmetics, and vehicles, such as two cars and a motorhome.

The Scottish Sun was the first to report on the details of the indictment.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, 20 February, where Murrell is expected to appear.

During his initial court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Murrell made no plea and was subsequently granted bail.

Murrell's arrest in 2023 was part of Operation Branchform, a police investigation into the SNP's funding and finances, which led to him being charged with embezzlement in April 2024.

A police van and a police officer outside Murrell's home in April 2023. — Murrell was arrested in 2023 as part of a probe into the SNP's finances

Although Sturgeon was questioned by police as part of the investigation, she is no longer considered a suspect.

BBC News has obtained a copy of the indictment against Murrell ahead of his upcoming court appearance.

It is worth noting that the indictment is subject to change until the case is heard in court and may be amended throughout the judicial process.

The indictment alleges that Murrell purchased a £124,550 motorhome for personal use and created false documents to justify the expense as a legitimate party expenditure.

Murrell is also accused of using £57,500 of party funds to buy a Jaguar I-PACE car in 2019, and falsifying an invoice to conceal the true nature of the purchase.

Furthermore, it is alleged that when the Jaguar was sold in 2021, Murrell deposited more than £47,000 into his personal bank account.

The indictment also claims that Murrell embezzled £16,489 from the SNP to partially fund the purchase of a Volkswagen Golf in 2016.

A list of over 80 retailers is included in the indictment, where Murrell allegedly made purchases totalling more than £159,000 between 2014 and 2022, using party credit or charge cards for personal expenses.

The retailers named in the indictment include Harrods, the Royal Mint, John Lewis, Homebase, and Argos, among others.

It is alleged that Murrell used SNP credit or charge cards to make these purchases and then inserted false or inaccurate accounting codes and descriptions into the party's accounting systems.

The indictment also accuses Murrell of making purchases worth over £81,600 through Amazon using the same method.

Murrell served as the SNP's chief executive for 22 years before his departure.

Murrell and Sturgeon were married in 2010, but announced their separation in January 2025, after being together for many years.

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Bangladesh Nationalist Party Wins Landslide in Country’s First Poll Since Youth-Led Protests

The public is looking forward to a shift back to democratic governance, following a 15-year period of authoritarian leadership by Sheikh Hasina.

In a significant shift in the country's political landscape, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has achieved a decisive majority in parliament, 18 months after widespread protests led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the country's longest-serving prime minister.

Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) show a victory sign in front of a banner with Tarique Rahman’s photo, as the results project BNP's victory in the 13th general election, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 13, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain — Tarique Rahman has been out of the country for 17 years. He has promised democracy will be restored

The BNP secured over two-thirds of the seats in the recent general election, with the Jamaat party, the main Islamist party in the country, coming in second; meanwhile, the Awami League, led by Hasina, was not allowed to participate in the election.

As the BNP's leader, Tarique Rahman is poised to become the next prime minister, facing significant challenges in revitalizing the economy and restoring democratic principles after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Hasina's leadership.

In a concurrent referendum, voters also expressed support for comprehensive democratic reforms, which are expected to shape the country's future.

Following Friday prayers in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating, "I am grateful for the love you have shown me"; his party has chosen not to hold a victory procession.

Rahman, who was elected to parliament for the first time, was among the 212 successful BNP candidates; according to the Election Commission, voter turnout was 59.44%.

This marks a significant turnaround for Rahman, who spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London before taking over as party leader after his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, passed away in December.

During his campaign, Rahman pledged to restore democratic principles and practices in the country.

The new government will need to address pressing issues, including economic revitalization, controlling rising food prices, and creating employment opportunities for the country's large youth population.

Rebuilding relations with neighboring India is also a key priority for the incoming government.

In the aftermath of his victory, Rahman received a congratulatory call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who acknowledged his "remarkable victory".

Modi took to social media to reaffirm India's commitment to promoting peace, progress, and prosperity in both countries, citing their deep historical and cultural ties.

Although the BNP has pledged to bring about change, the party has faced criticism in the past for corruption and alleged human rights abuses during its previous tenure in government in the early 2000s.

The recent election represents a pivotal moment for the country, with one of the two main parties achieving a significant victory, presenting both opportunities and risks.

Proposed constitutional reforms include introducing term limits for the prime minister, establishing a directly elected upper house of parliament, strengthening presidential powers, and increasing judicial independence.

The reforms also aim to increase female representation in parliament, an area where significant progress is still needed, as evidenced by the limited number of successful female candidates in the recent election.

As the newly elected leader, Tarique Rahman will face intense scrutiny as he works to deliver on his promises to a predominantly young electorate eager for change, many of whom participated in the student-led protests that ultimately led to Hasina's removal and paved the way for the February 12 election.