A recent independent
review into historical child sexual abuse has found that there have been
significant institutional failings within the Football Association (FA). It
stated that the FA were too slow to take action and have sufficient protective
measures in place between October 1995 and May 2000. The report focused on the
abuse of children between 1970 and 2005.
The report revealed that
the FA failed to ban two of the most notorious perpetrators of child sexual
abuse, Barry Bennell and Bob Higgins, from involvement in football. There were
known to be at least 240 suspects and 692 survivors, yet relatively few people
reported abuse and the actual level was likely to be far higher. Worryingly,
where incidents of abuse were reported to people in authority at football
clubs, the responses were “rarely competent” or “appropriate”.
In March 2019, Manchester
City set up a multi-million-pound compensation scheme for victims of historical
child sexual abuse carried out by former coaches. The report revealed that the
City senior managers were aware of rumours and concerns about Barry Bennell’s conduct
in the early 1980’s. It stated “The club did not investigate these rumours. It
should have done so. The club should also have investigated the arrangements
for boys staying at Bennell’s house.”
The report recommended
introduction of safeguarding training at several levels in the game, including
all players and young people, as well as the FA board and senior management
team. It further recommends that there should be safeguarding officers employed
by all Premier League and English Football League (EFL) clubs.
Clive Sheldon QC, who led
the report stated “Understanding and acknowledging the appalling abuse suffered
by young players in the period covered by the review is important for its own
sake. Survivors deserve to be listened to, and their suffering deserves to be
properly recognised. As well as acknowledging and facing up to what happened in
the past, it is important that this terrible history is not repeated, and that
everything possible is done now to safeguard the current and future generations
of young players.”
It is of huge importance
that preventative steps need to be taken in order to protect children and
vulnerable individuals from abuse. Safeguarding steps must be implemented
across all institutions that have a duty of care towards individuals
within.
If you or a family member
have suffered historical sexual abuse, our experienced Abuse team headed by
Natalie Marrison are here to help. For a confidential discussion, please
contact the Ramsdens Abuse Law team on 0113 877 1834 or send them an email.