The organisation representing Irish professional footballers has spoken out ahead of a highly-publicised documentary on historcal abuse in women’s football set to be broadcast tonight.
The Professional Footballer’s Association of Ireland released a statement today on behalf of a newly-formed organisation, Sportswomen Against Abuse.
They represent women who suffered historical sexual abuse within the Irish football system.
Their stories are set to be told in the “Girls in Green” documentary on RTÉ television tonight, as well as in a story in the Sunday Independent.
Two coaches had their coaching activities suspended by the FAI earlier this year, as Garda investigations into the allegations have been launched.
“But we have emerged stronger together, united and determined to ensure this never happens to anyone else again.”
“It is hard to express the feelings that have defined our lives over the last 25 years or so. For this whole time, we buried our emotions and thought we were the only ones.”
“We blamed ourselves and hid our shame from our family and friends. It is only in the last two years that our eyes have been opened to what is systematic and calculated abuse inflicted on all of us and in different ways. Our pain will be the next generation’s gain.”
“Women’s football has emerged from the shadows, and we want to see it go from strength to strength. What we experienced should provide lessons for the future and we hope for the FAI, and all other sporting bodies in this country will take the appropriate steps to ensure it never occurs again in this country.”
