Opening up to the sins of the past is vital to allowing those who suffered to heal and move on, even if it does paint a very dark picture of what it was like in the past.

It would have been more comfortable for those involved in leadership at the time if these things were tidied away quietly, but Ireland has done well in not allowing that.

The latest example of abuse in what we strive to have as a safe space of sport has been laid bare over the past 24 hours in the work undertaken by journalists Mark Tighe in the Sunday Independent and Marie Crowe on RTÉ.

It follows a familiar path to stories we have seen emerge from other sports, the school system, and the Catholic Church. Ireland in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s was a different place from the open society we have now.

There was a culture of entitlement and superiority, which allowed the venal violence of abuse by people in authority to go unchecked.

Swimming has had its nightmares. Coaches in rugby and Gaelic games have been held accountable for abuses of power, and now the spotlight has switched to football and the actions of coaches in positions of power who have been called out.

The cases against Mick Cooke and two other coaches are being investigated by An Garda Síochána as a result of the complaints made by a number of players who have now asked that they be left alone, as is their right after having the courage to come out and tell their story.

It is a familiar one that each thought they were the only one and suffered from the shame and the sense of guilt that is part of how abusers maintain their grip on victims and their immunity from exposure for their deeds.

When the veil of silence is torn, though, action can be taken.

The FAI held a press briefing this morning, after which they issued the following statement.

The Association is appalled that women involved in Irish football had experienced serious historical abuse and manipulative behaviour.
The Association is treating these allegations with the utmost priority and seriousness.

Having been afforded the opportunity to meet the women, the Association acknowledges their tremendous courage in coming forward to report their experiences. They have reopened very dark periods of their lives in order to ensure that these matters are finally addressed and never happen to anyone else.

The Association believes unequivocally that everyone involved in Irish football should at all times feel that they are in a safe environment and that the appropriate processes and practices are in place.

Having met with the women earlier this year, the Association has taken immediate and appropriate action which has included the following:

Professional support was made available and continues to be provided to the women affected by these historical events.

A report was made to the Child And Family Agency, TÚSLA, and guidance was also sought from An Garda Síochána.

In accordance with the FAI Safeguarding Policy and Regulations, precautionary measures were put in place to protect current players.

A Safeguarding Awareness Campaign, ‘Play It Right’, was launched to offer guidance and support to anyone involved in Irish football.

An independent helpline has been set up for the reporting of any serious concerns which can be disclosed by individuals in absolute confidence.

The Association has liaised with the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland, Government, Sport Ireland and continues to engage with An Garda Síochána and TÚSLA in relation to these matters.

The Association will continue to assist the appropriate authorities in their ongoing enquiries.

All safeguarding concerns that are brought to the attention of the Association are dealt with as a matter of priority and anyone who may have experienced abuse in Irish football is encouraged to contact our Child Welfare & Safeguarding Department, while there is an additional confidential service through Raise A Concern on 01 6107929 or by emailing football@raiseaconcern.com

Safety and welfare are key priorities for the Association with strong safeguards in place to help prevent inappropriate behaviours happening. There are also robust structures to provide a safe environment for all players, coaches, officials and administrators across all teams and programmes.

The Association has developed and implemented a range of modern safeguarding policies, safe recruitment practices, including a mandatory Garda Vetting process and Safeguarding training.

A Player & Staff Welfare Framework, a Protected Disclosure Policy and Code of Conduct are also in place, while the Association has been working closely with Ireland’s international teams and programme coordinators to ensure that player safety and welfare is paramount.

Safeguarding is a vital part of how sporting bodies manage the way in which coaches and those in positions of authority are governed and offers vital protection to those being coached and also the vast majority who get involved for all the right reasons.

The position is immeasurably better now than it was thirty years ago, and we can be grateful for those who have told their own stories and acted in the right way to improve it.

It is an additional administrative burden on those mainly volunteers upon whom the delivery of sport rests but there could hardly be one that is more important to get right every single time.

 

 

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