It seems this is about to get even worse than previously reported with around 350 players coming forward with claims of abuse. Pretty shocking stuff.
It has been described in Britain as a bigger scandal than the crimes of serial paedophile Jimmy Saville.
The allegations of historic child sex abuse inside football clubs in the United Kingdom have rocked the country and its national sport.
A month ago the issue was not even on the radar. Then Andy Woodward changed everything.
The former professional footballer summoned the courage to speak out about the abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of a youth coach in the 1980s.
Since then around 350 players have come forward, detailing allegations against a staggering 83 former coaches and officials linked to around a hundred clubs, including Premier League clubs such as Chelsea and Southampton.
More than 20 separate British police forces are now investigating the claims.
But British football’s dark secrets could have so easily remained hidden away.
Andy Woodward’s explosive interview with The Guardian’s Danny Taylor was very nearly pulled.
“The night before, I didn’t get one hour of sleep,” Woodward told 7.30.
“I nearly stopped it going through.”
“They were so supportive. Neil said, ‘Go on and do it, you need to do this, it’s the right thing to do’. It was the final push I needed,” Woodward said.
The article was published and other players came forward to share their stories, including ex-internationals Paul Stewart and David White.
Woodward and other survivors have since formed a support group called the Offside Trust.
When these men speak, the pain is etched on their faces. Their lives have been damaged and destroyed by the alleged abuse.
Many have suffered in silence, not even telling their partners or their parents exactly what their coaches allegedly did to them.
As boys they never spoke out for fear that the perpetrators would kill off their dreams of becoming professional footballers.
As young boys, these men were failed by a long list of people and institutions.
They have suffered alone for too long.
Don’t see how you can ever completely stop this type of abuse - Yes you can do more vetting to stop serial abusers and limit the abuse - The problem is when someone starts abusing they have no pre-existing record and many cases are unreported and even if reported there is usually a long time lag.
Don't see how you can ever completely stop this type of abuse - Yes you can do more vetting to stop serial abusers and limit the abuse - The problem is when someone starts abusing they have no pre-existing record and many cases are unreported and even if reported there is usually a long time lag.
Your first line sounds suspiciously like a cop out, but l’m sure that is not how you intend it to be read. You have to start somewhere. Kudos to Andy Woodward for having the guts to speak out, so that more young players are not subject to the same abuse in the future. There must be something wrong going on in England, for that many players to have been affected. It almost sounds as if the whole thing was organized. First in show business, now in sport. Where will it end? It can only end when those affected come forward and reveal the identities of those who have abused them, and those responsible are put on trial. l very much doubt they will ever see the inside of a court, but they should.
The problem with showbiz and soccer is that these kids will be threatened by their abusers that to dob them in will cost them their chance of future progress in their career.
The other side of the coin is that kids can dob in their coaches falsely if the kid thinks someone else is getting preference.
There still needs to be some sort of strong evidence or collaboration of evidence.
Don't see how you can ever completely stop this type of abuse - Yes you can do more vetting to stop serial abusers and limit the abuse - The problem is when someone starts abusing they have no pre-existing record and many cases are unreported and even if reported there is usually a long time lag.
How can you completely stop any crime? It sounds like you’ve given up on these kids before they’ve begun.
The problem with showbiz and soccer is that these kids will be threatened by their abusers that to dob them in will cost them their chance of future progress in their career.
The other side of the coin is that kids can dob in their coaches falsely if the kid thinks someone else is getting preference.
There still needs to be some sort of strong evidence or collaboration of evidence.
We are not talking about kids making claims, we are talking about grown men who have retired from their sport. This isn’t new it is mainly older cases from the 70’s and 80’s.
The problem with showbiz and soccer is that these kids will be threatened by their abusers that to dob them in will cost them their chance of future progress in their career.
The other side of the coin is that kids can dob in their coaches falsely if the kid thinks someone else is getting preference.
There still needs to be some sort of strong evidence or collaboration of evidence.
Why do people always feel the need to point this ■■■■ out? It’s so obvious and yet so far removed from reality, as if false accusations of child abuse can remotely compare in number to actual incidents, or as if the two were remotely comparable in terms of the effect.
Don't see how you can ever completely stop this type of abuse - Yes you can do more vetting to stop serial abusers and limit the abuse - The problem is when someone starts abusing they have no pre-existing record and many cases are unreported and even if reported there is usually a long time lag.
Your first line sounds suspiciously like a cop out, but l’m sure that is not how you intend it to be read. You have to start somewhere. Kudos to Andy Woodward for having the guts to speak out, so that more young players are not subject to the same abuse in the future. There must be something wrong going on in England, for that many players to have been affected. It almost sounds as if the whole thing was organized. First in show business, now in sport. Where will it end? It can only end when those affected come forward and reveal the identities of those who have abused them, and those responsible are put on trial. l very much doubt they will ever see the inside of a court, but they should.
How is it a copout ? I am speaking facts. To be charge and ultimately convicted of sexual abuse can take a long time. Peoole are still being charged 40+ years after the event. And there are many more cases unreported.
All you can do is have a robust reporting system which stops offenders being employed in certain employment situations.
The problem with showbiz and soccer is that these kids will be threatened by their abusers that to dob them in will cost them their chance of future progress in their career.
The other side of the coin is that kids can dob in their coaches falsely if the kid thinks someone else is getting preference.
There still needs to be some sort of strong evidence or collaboration of evidence.
We are not talking about kids making claims, we are talking about grown men who have retired from their sport. This isn’t new it is mainly older cases from the 70’s and 80’s.
Your last paragragh goes to the very heart of my argument - For various reasons it takes a long time for cases to be actioned - This is why you never stop crime - Control to a certain extent is possible.