Gardaí investigating after report into allegations of abuse by FAI coaches in 1990s | BreakingNews.ie

Gardaí have said they are investigating at least one complaint arising from allegations of misconduct by FAI coaches in the 1990s.

A number of former international players and trainees have made claims of unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate relationships, and homophobia, as part of a two-year investigation by the Sunday Independent and RTÉ.

In a joint statement today, the women said, after years of blaming themselves, their “eyes have been opened to what is systematic and calculated abuse” inflicted on them “in different ways”.

Mark Tighe from the Sunday Independent says some of the relationships were consensual – but inappropriate.

One player claimed she was in a relationship with a coach who was 12 years older than her.

Mr Tighe told Newstalk: “I don’t think it’s ever correct for a coach to be in a relationship with a player. Especially a young player with a huge age difference.

“In any kind of football dressing room, there’s a pyramid, and the coach sits at the very top of that. If you know your coach, if you get on his wrong side, you won’t be picked, you will be dropped.

“For someone who is aiming to play professionally or have a career in football, you have to stay on your coach’s right side, it doesn’t matter what player you are.”