Rugby star Rufus McLean facing sack from Glasgow Warriors over domestic abuse
A Scotland rugby union star’s career lies in tatters after he admitted subjecting his girlfriend to a two-year domestic violence ordeal.
Rufus McLean, 22, twice lashed out at the 21-year-old and tried to control where she went, who she saw and what she wore, a court heard.
The Glasgow Warriors winger also demanded to know her social media account passwords and put a device on her phone to track her whereabouts.
He now faces disciplinary action and has been suspended by the club following his guilty plea at Edinburgh sheriff court.
His behaviour was described as ‘emotionally abusive and controlling’ by his partner.
She told the court McLean ‘took exception’ to what she was wearing in a post while on holiday in Spain in 2019, so messaged to say she was a ‘s**g’ and ordered her to change the outfit.
After seeing her pictured online with an ex in March 2020, he became irate and pushed her in the chest, causing her to fall. Police were called, the court heard.
Ten months later, McLean – capped three times by Scotland – pushed her at their Glasgow flat, causing her to suffer a burst lip and black eye.
His solicitor Iain Smith told the court his playing contract could be terminated, which would ‘end his career’. McLean will be sentenced next month.
Glasgow Warriors said: ‘We do not condone abuse of any kind. A club disciplinary hearing will be held this week.’
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