The Football Association's Review into child sexual abuse in football

Some months ago, the Football Association announced that its review into child sexual abuse in football would be led by Mr Clive Sheldon QC.

Today I went to support a client who was giving evidence to Mr Sheldon at the offices of Sport Resolution in London

Although he has taken statements from a large number of people who have suffered abuse whilst playing and training in football clubs, Mr Sheldon encouraged me to publicise the work of his Review, so that as many people as possible come forward.  

That has to be the right thing to do. I was impressed by Mr Sheldon's understanding of the painful process through which my client had to go, in order to tell his story.  The approach was professional and sympathetic.

The Review covers the time period from 1970 and around 2005.

It is looking at:-

• What the FA and the Clubs knew about child sex abuse
• What they did about it
• What they should have known and done about it

In November of last year, I produced an article on this subject.

htps://www.linkedin.com/pulse/football-crisis-what-state-child-protection-law-eihties-Johnson

The review will produce a report which will consider whether the FA and the Clubs did enough to keep children safe. It will also make recommendations.

The questions that Mr Sheldon put to my client were:-

• When the abuse began and ended, the identity of the abuse and their role (e.g. coach/scout/parent/player/referee)
• Whether anyone else was aware or might have been aware of what was going on.
• Whether the survivor of abuse was able to tell anyone about the abuse
• If it was reported, what was the response
• Whether any professional support was offered

My client was also asked:-

• What do you think should have been done differently?
• What do you think would have made a difference to you at the time?

Mr Sheldon also explained that the Review was obliged to refer allegations of criminal conduct to the Police, or to the current FA Safeguarding Team if there was anything that disclosed a current safeguarding risk to children. Once again, this is a reasonable approach to take.

The Review's work is quite separate from that of the police, and Mr Sheldon explained that he will consult with the police before he takes an account from anyone.

If the Review wishes to refer to anything specific that a person has told them in their report, then they will ask for that person's permission before attributing it to them and they will not (without that person's permission) disclose any details in their report that would make it possible for the person to be identified by the public.

Contact details:-
The Secretariat to the Independent Football Review
Tel. 020 7036 1966
Email football@sportresolutions.co.uk
1 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8AE

More details about the work of the Review can be found at:-
http://www.thefa.com/news/2016/dec/05/fa-statement-terms-of-reference-061216://www.thefa.com/news/2016/dec/05/fa-statement-terms-of-reference-061216