Skilled footballer triumphs with a breathtaking score during their initial professional match.
In early August 2025, 16-year-old Skye Stout made history as she began her professional career with FC Kilmarnock in the second Scottish women's league. However, the joyous occasion was marred by online trolls who targeted Stout's acne and skin condition, leading to a wave of harassment on social media.
The controversy began shortly after Kilmarnock FC announced Stout's signing. The club's social media posts featuring Stout were flooded with hateful remarks, prompting Kilmarnock to delete all posts about her to protect the young player. In response, Stout herself deleted photos and videos linking her to the team from her own accounts.
But the football community and women's sports supporters rallied strongly around Stout after the bullying became public. Numerous fans, athletes, and organizations publicly condemned the attacks and offered messages of support. Soccer Girl and TOGETHXR, among others, gained millions of views and hundreds of thousands of likes, celebrating Stout's achievements and standing against the bullying.
Despite the initial online hate, Stout received a wave of solidarity and support. This was evident when she scored her professional debut goal for FC Kilmarnock, a stunning free-kick that silenced critics and drove tens of thousands of spectators wild. The goal, viewed over 7 million times and liked over 30,000 times on a specific platform, became the most watched goal in the history of the Scottish Women's Second Division.
Scottish politician Humza Yousaf also expressed support for Stout, acknowledging the importance of combatting online bullying within the sports community. A grassroots organization even posted a photo of Stout and called for support against online bullies.
One user wrote, "Skye Stout has already achieved more in football than her critics ever will," while another expressed happiness for Stout, stating, "I hoped for this to happen." Another user praised Stout's response to internet haters, writing, "That goal is how you respond to internet trolls."
This case highlights the issues of online bullying, especially targeting personal appearance, within the sports community and the important role fan and community support plays in combatting it. As Stout continues her promising football career, she serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
