Inquiry goals

Should the Scottish Football Association set up an independent inquiry into allegations of historical child abuse in the sport (your report, 12 December)? There will be some scepticism that the Association cannot be seen to be impartial even if it appoints a respected figure of some authority, as deputy first minister John Swinney suggests. Each individual allegation should without question be the subject of a police investigation in any case. An inquiry is likely to recommend that the existing safeguards (checking someone’s criminal background before they are allowed to coach children) be strengthened. It might even suggest the introduction of some sort of “coaching Czar” to oversee the way standards of coaching and teaching are monitored throughout the country. there must be a word of caution too: too stringent a standard could actually deter enthusiastic individuals from offering their largely voluntary services to football.

In a parallel situation some years ago the Rt. Rev Andrew Mclellan was asked to conduct an inquiry into abuse in the Roman Catholic Church. He agreed to do so only after an assurance from the Church hierarchy that his recommendations would actually be implemented. His recommendations were accepted, but only last week Baroness Helen Liddell was appointed to a role to ensure that is what would happen. When survivors of abuse see this form of bureaucratic delay, is it any wonder they begin to despair of the entire process? It may be that the outcome of an inquiry into the problem in football will be entirely predictable. It might still be in the Scottish Government’s interest to take the matter out of the SFA’S hands, take responsibility itself, and assure an anxious public that any inquiry is genuinely independent.

BOB TAYLOR Shiel Court, Glenrothes