KEY POINTS
l SFA must improve its response to historical allegations
l Structure of SFA and Scottish football is “not fit for purpose” in relation to safeguarding youngsters and reducing risk.
l Scottish football urgently requires a comprehensive safeguarding strategy which involves the entire game.
l A bystander approach that encourages the football community to speak up when there are early indicators of risk is needed.
l Culture change needed that challenges homophobic attitudes as well as the behaviour which reinforces the fear and silence of young men when they are subjected to abuse.
l Positive change in the culture of Scottish football requires education, influence, mentoring and leadership. Replacing vested interests, minimisation and evasion with accountability and responsibility.
l Scottish FA to appoint an implementation manager to follow through the recommendations, and a Safeguarding Advisory Group.
faced with abuse or exploitation had to be challenged.
Mr Maxwell said: “On behalf of Scottish football I would like to offer my most heartfelt apology to those with personal experience of sexual abuse in our national game. We acknowledge the very deep impact experiences of sexual abuse has had on many individuals and that is why we are strongly committed to learning from these experiences.”