Hibs football director quits after 'inappropriate behaviour' probe

Hibernian’s director of football operations left the club following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour, the club has confirmed.

Derek White, who joined from Livingston in 2022, resigned from his position at the Easter Road side last month.

He joined as head of football operations before the title of the admin role was recently changed to director of football operations.

The allegations against him involve behaviour towards a young male player over the age of 18, STV News understands.

The club have confirmed that White, 24, was being investigated at the time of his depature but the details of the investigation will remain confidential due to being of a “sensitive nature”.

A club spokesperson said: “The club can confirm that Derek White resigned from his role at Hibernian FC, whilst an internal investigation into his conduct was ongoing.

“Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, the details of it will remain confidential.

“The club informed the relevant authorities and organisations following our strict safeguarding procedures.”

It is understood that the Scottish Football Association have been in discussions with Hibernian’s child welfare officer to establish that White was not in regulated work or a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.

The governing body has also been assured that no harm was caused to a minor.

Disclosure Scotland, the body responsible for safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults across Scotland, refused to be drawn on an individual case when asked for a comment.

A statement said: “Disclosure Scotland cannot comment on individual cases.

“Our number one priority is safeguarding children and vulnerable adults across Scotland. It is a legal requirement for organisations to refer people to Disclosure Scotland when someone in regulated work causes harm or potential harm towards children or protected adults.

“We must be notified within three months if the organisation has already dismissed the individual or would have done so, had the person had not already resigned from their job.

“If the incident has taken place in the work or voluntary setting or outside of employment or volunteering and involves children and protected adults, then individuals must be referred to Disclosure Scotland.

“Prospective employers can ask for a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check for roles that involve working (paid or unpaid) with children (anyone under the age of 18) or protected adults.

“Disclosure Scotland monitors PVG scheme members every day to check if new information has come to light which means that they are no longer suitable to be in the PVG scheme in which case Disclosure Scotland will bar them from doing regulated working with children and protected adults.”

Derek White has been approached for comment.