English FA (Football Association) has opened a safeguarding inquiry into a Premier League club head coach for sexual assault. It was gathered that despite three women reporting the manager to the police for alledged sexual offences, he is still the head coach of the club.
England FA Opens a Fresh Case Against Club Coach for Sexual Assault
According to reports, one of the women said the FA had failed to protect women and girls by being silent about the case. She said no action has taken despite her being under 16 at the time of the alleged incident.
Due to this now, the English FA has decided to look into the matter again. They however said why they were slow to take action on the case. It was said that the governing body said it does not comment on individual cases but it has “robust safeguarding measures in place.”
FA has invited one of the complainants, to discuss her experiences as part of their safeguarding investigation. The FA also said that it will not be able to share with her any details of their investigations including any outcome reached once complete.
It was reported that the incident happened when she was only 15. However, she believes nothing was done by the FA until now. She said: “Football authorities and [the] government seem to have turned a blind eye, deaf ear and chose to say and do nothing to protect females from the threats he poses to girls and women.” She also said: “We need assurances that all females at the club are safe.”
The boss was also investigated in 2021 after an allegation that he sexually abused a different 15-year-old in the 1990s. No further action was taken in that case because of legislation which states that if an offence of “unlawful sexual intercourse” took place between 1956 and 2004, and the alleged victim was a girl aged 13 to 15, she had to make a complaint within a year.
They also invited a third victim who says in the late 90s she was locked in a room by the man as he attempted to coerce her into sexual activity. She says this took place during a job interview when she was in her early 20s.
It is recorded that in November of last year at least 20 Premier League clubs have had players or managers investigated by the police for sexual offences for two years now.
FA regulations only cover how to respond to allegations of this nature if they occur within a “football environment”, or if concerns relate to children or vulnerable adults. The new inquiry will be led by the FA’s professional game safeguarding manager.
A spokesperson for the national governing body said: “We investigate and assess all allegations and concerns about individuals who may pose a risk of harm to children and adults at risk in football and, where applicable, can impose proportionate safeguarding measures in accordance with FA safeguarding regulations.”
