'We are sorry for what you had to endure' - FAI apologises to female former players after shocking allegations
During a press conference held by the association on Monday, FAI Interim CEO David Courell said: “We are sorry for what you had to endure, we're sorry that anyone could have ever felt unsafe"
The FAI has apologised to female footballers who allege they experienced unwanted sexual advances from coaches in the '90s.
During a press conference held by the association on Monday, Interim CEO David Courell said: “We are sorry for what you had to endure, we're sorry that anyone could have ever felt unsafe.
“We are sorry that the modern practices and reporting structures that we now have in place were not there for you when you needed them. And we're sorry that anyone could have ever felt unsafe in Irish football.”
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In a joint investigation by RTÉ and the Sunday Independent, a series of shocking allegations about the alleged treatment of top female soccer players was revealed.
International players from the '90s have accused their manager at the time, Mick Cooke, of inappropriate behaviour, while five out of 20 women from Ireland’s first state-funded all-women soccer course claim they were subject to sexual advances by their head coach, Eamonn Collins. Both men have denied all of the allegations against them.
Mr Courell said these allegations show that the FAI needs to “redouble” its efforts and make sure that awareness of existing safeguarding protocols are “fully understood, fully respected, and that people feel and know they have somewhere to go if they have an issue”.
The CEO confirmed that a 2013 FAI employee handbook prohibits “amorous” relationships between coaches and players or students. However, he said this policy does not extend to clubs. While Mr Courrell said the organisation makes it clear that best practice is for “no relationships to take place”, he said clubs are not obliged to report such declarations to the FAI.
In a statement released by the FAI following the press conference, it said it is “appalled” that women in Irish football had allegedly "experienced historical abuse and manipulative behaviour".
It continued: “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.”
Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne said hearing the stories featured in RTÉ Investigates: Girls in Green was “harrowing”.
He added: “In every sport, safeguarding must be paramount, and I will be working with Sport Ireland to ensure that everything that should be done in Ireland today regarding safeguarding is actually being done.”
Sport Ireland also released a statement, saying: “Sport Ireland commends the women who came forward for their strength and courage. As this is now a matter for the Gardaí and relevant authorities, we will not be commenting further on the specific allegations. Sport Ireland believes that everyone involved in sport, at all levels, should be able to enjoy an experience that is free from any form of abuse.”
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said: “The revelations contained within this #RTEInvestigates of sexual abuse of young female players are appalling. It's very clear the FAI is poisoned to its core. With a history of scandals, it's time to disband the FAI and rebuild it from the ground up. A rotten organisation.”
One of the women who took part in the media investigation was Jackie McCarthy-O’Brien, Ireland’s first black player. She claims that she was dropped from the team after resisting an alleged unwanted advance from Cooke in his hotel room.
Former player Olivia O’Toole, who is Ireland’s record goal-scorer, claimed she was “exiled” from the team for two years in 1998 after she allegedly witnessed Cooke’s inappropriate behaviour with players. The former manager has denied all the allegations.
The investigation also reported claims that women from Ireland’s first soccer Fás course for women were subject to sexual advances by their head coach, Eamonn Collins.
Collins is now a football agent, and told the media investigation that he “emphatically and unreservedly denies any improper relationship or conduct by him while he was involved as a coach on a football training course in west Co Dublin that commenced in 1996 more than 25 years ago”.
Both coaches have received “stand down” orders from the FAI. This order is made for the immediate protection and safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons, and is not a determination of wrongdoing by any individual.
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