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Child Abuse in
Football – Independent Football Commission Report
 According
to an article in the Observer newspaper (“Top football clubs hit by
child abuse allegations” by Martin Bentham, Sunday 18th Sept), a
report compiled by the government-backed Independent Football
Commission due to be released this month discloses that “…250
suspected child abuse cases are being probed by the Football
Association and that two more allegations are being investigated at
Premiership clubs. It also reveals that a further four cases of
suspected child abuse have been investigated at Premiership clubs
since 2003.”
The article goes on to say
“The commission, set up in 2001 by the FA, the Premiership and
the Football League with support from ministers, gives no details of
the child abuse investigations that it cites in its 60-page report,
but they are thought to include inappropriate behaviour and
bullying.”
Further on in the article a representative of the Football
Association gives their response to the report. Tony Pickerin,
the FA's head of child protection, said that,
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"although the definition of child abuse
in football included bullying, there were also far more
serious cases involving criminality and a large number of
people who posed a threat had been found within the game."
"The commission's findings are fair,
although the figure of 250 cases under investigation was a
'snapshot', the total was a reasonable representation of the
number being dealt with at any one time.” |
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| Christian in Sport’s General Director,
Graham Daniels, when questioned on this issue by Premier Radio,
said “Whilst 250 cases of bad practice is 250 too many, the FA
are to be congratulated on the fact that four million children are
playing football and that the percentage of problem cases is so low!”
According to the FA’s own website, the Independent Football
Commission (IFC) report praises the FA’s Child Protection policy and
procedures.
“The single issue IFC document on child protection in football
says that the organisation has made enormous progress in the last
five years and is filled with admiration for the work that is done
in undertaking the protection of children." It states: "The FA’s
[child protection] strategy has, in the last five years, driven and
facilitated an enormous programme of change and represents
remarkable achievement at all levels.”
The website explains that the FA’s child protection programme –
GOAL – “is about doing things the right way, doing things
properly. It's about allowing children to enjoy the game without
abuse of any kind. That means bullying, physical, emotional or
sexual abuse and neglect.”
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Christians in Sport is keen to encourage
Christians involved in sports activities with children, either
in church, community or club environments, to ensure that those
activities are covered by a robust child protection policy. By
ensuring that a comprehensive child protection policy is in
place and understood and adhered to by everyone at your church or
club will assure parents of their children’s safety while in your
care and create a trust between all concerned. |
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“Christian coaches and parents
must start with right belief and courageous practice! Right
belief is the understanding that sport is a gift from God to
be enjoyed as we play; it is not a tool to prove ourselves.
Christians in Sport believe that sport is to be a source of
play and joy! Courageous practice happens when Christian
coaches and parents intervene when they hear any adult
behaving in a way which takes that joy away from the game.
Anyone acting inappropriately towards the referee, the
children or each other should be confronted gently and
patiently! Be brave and act!”
Graham Daniels, General Director,
Christians in Sport |
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Further information
The FA’s
child protection policy can be downloaded from their website
along with a number of other resources. Their guide to best practice
can be purchased for £11.75 online.
The Churches Child Protection
Advisory Service (CCPAS) is an independent
Christian-based charity that provides professional training,
resources, advice and support in all areas of child protection and
good working practice. CCPAS helps churches, other faith groups and
organisations develop good sense child protection including the
preparation and implementation of child protection policies.
The Observer article is “Top
football clubs hit by child abuse allegations”
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