Scottish FA apologises after review’s findings into child sex abuse in football
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell yesterday made a “heartfelt apology” after an investigation made a series of criticisms of the game’s child protection policies.
The apology was made on behalf of Scottish football to all those who have been sexually abused through their involvement in the sport.
The interim findings of the inquiry said the structures at the organisation, and in Scottish football in general, were “not fit for purpose” when it came to protecting youngsters.
The independent review of sexual abuse in Scottish football was commissioned by the Scottish FA following complaints of historical abuse from people who had been involved in the game as children. The independent inquiry is being led by former children’s charity executive Martin Henry, who warned that the “vast majority” of vicnumber tims of historical abuse had yet to come forward.
The inquiry was commissioned at the end of 2016 following an “unprecedented” of allegations of sexual abuse in the sport, mainly said to have occurred in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s.
The review talked to 236 individuals. Some 65 people, including family of victims, contacted the review to say they were personally affected by abuse and 22 people came forward with allegations of historical sexual abuse concerning ten alleged abusers. Allegations ranged from sexualised language and indecent assault to rape.
Contributors said they believed football-related sexual abuse had contributed to the deaths of some people, through suicide or substance abuse.
The review called for the SFA to respond to allegations better. It found a lack of leadership and inadequate child protection governance. And the game’s complex structure had led to a risk of abuse within the game.
More resources and structural change were required to reduce the risk of offences and a “comprehensive” safeguarding strategy had to be introduced across the sport.
A culture change in football was “imperative”, as was changing the perception of “men in blazers” controlling the sport. Homophobic attitudes had to be challenged, as had harmful attitudes towards mental health and “distorted thinking about sexual conduct and gender-based violence”.
Behaviour which reinforced the fears of young men and made them stay silent when