A journalism awards sexism row has sparked calls to tackle gender inequality on regional and national sports desks.

Women in Journlism Scotland has demanded action after research by the pressure group revealed just three out of 95 sports journalism jobs at Scottish newspapers are filled by women.

Publication of the figures comes after a row broke out regarding remarks made by after-dinner speaker Bill Copleand at the Scottish Football Writers’ Association Awards on Sunday night.

Two tables at the event walked out of the dinner “in disgust” at the comments, with those leaving including WiJ Scotland co-chair Gabriella Bennett, pictured, and sports broadcaster Eilidh Barbour.

Both the SFWA and a representative for Mr Copeland have since apologised to anyone offended or upset by the material.

Two University of Strathclyde students have conducted research into inequality in the sector on WiJ Scotland’s behalf, which included interviewing eight women working in Scottish sports journalism and student journalists about their experiences in the industry.

Responses revealed anecdotes including one participant’s discovery that a male candidate applying for the same job had been offered significantly more money than her despite him having “ten years’ less” experience than she did, while a sports journalism lecturer confirmed there had only been eight female students during a sports journalism course’s 13-year history.

Campaign lead Catriona MacPhee, co-chair of WiJ Scotland, said: “This is a watershed moment for the media in Scotland.

“We need more women’s voices and perspectives in sports coverage and as an industry we need to work together to make sure women have access to this sector and are not pushed out.

“One way of doing that is calling out sexist behaviour but there are practical solutions here too and we call on our peers across the industry to help us drive this much-needed change.”

Gabriella added: “This new report confirms our suspicions about what life and work is really like for women working in Scottish print sports journalism, but it also drives us to bring about meaningful change.”