Janet Finch-Saunders AM, has called on the Welsh Government to support calls by Steve Walters of the Offside Trust and local PC Mike Smith for a full inquiry by the Football Association of Wales into allegations of historical abuse within the sport.
Raising the matter directly to the First Minister, Carwyn Jones AM, Janet said:
“It is vital that children are able to pursue sporting ambitions within a safe and secure environment, and that parents have confidence in the system.
“With three of our four Welsh police forces already looking into such allegations, it is essential that the FAW seeks to undertaken their own thorough inquiry into these worrying assertions.
“The impact of child abuse can have repercussions throughout their life, and it is essential that those affected are given any support needed. Likewise, it is imperative that all preventative measures are taken to ensure that no sport faces such a crisis again.”
ENDS
Notes:
The Record of Proceedings (available here):
Janet Finch-Saunders
First Minister, grass-roots training in football is so often crucial to future development of young players to a more professional level. Currently, however, three of our four Welsh police forces are now investigating allegations of historic child sexual abuse at this level, with the Football Association chairman, Greg Clarke, calling this the biggest crisis in football. First Minister, in north Wales, there are several accusations of an historical nature that it is felt must be investigated. Steve Walters of the Offside Trust, and, indeed, one of my own constituents, PC Mike Smith, both of whom have suffered, are leading calls for the Football Association of Wales to launch a full inquiry into this matter. Will you work with your Cabinet Secretary to support those calls and, in doing so, provide an environment where children seeking to fulfil their ambitions in the sport, to a more professional level, are able to do so safely?
Carwyn Jones
We know that a safe environment is crucial for children and young people if they want to enjoy sport. We know that standards at one time were far laxer than they are now. These are matters primarily for the FAW and for the police. But it is hugely important that as much assurance as possible can be given, that any allegations in the past or, indeed, the present, are investigated fully, so as we can ensure that our children and young people continue to have a safer environment now and in the future.
Photo:
- Janet Finch-Saunders AM
Video:
Available here: https://youtu.be/G78IoiEM9n8