FA President Prince William "concerned" about football sex abuse scandal
The Duke of Cambridge, who is President of the FA, requested a briefing on the scandal and has asked to be kept regularly updated
BY VICTORIA MURPHYPrince William is said to have “concerns” over the ongoing revelations of sex abuse in football, it was revealed today.
The Duke of Cambridge , who is President of the FA, requested a briefing on the scandal and has asked to be kept regularly updated.
This development has some terrific potential if the Prince becomes deeply involved and learns the extraordinary level of child sex abuse that occurs in the Commonwealth, not just in the UK, and not just in football. It is the worst atrocity mankind has ever committed and it is, as usual, children who pay the price. The things he could accomplish if he gets energized about this are worth getting excited about.
A source told the Sunday Times: “The duke is going to be keeping in close contact with the FA.
“His focus as president is on how they are handling the issues in front of them and he has asked to be kept regularly updated.”
His apparent concerns come as more players have come forward claiming they suffered.
aides he wants to be kept updated on the scandal
So far about 350 victims have made allegations of child sexual abuse, more than 50 clubs have been mentioned and the FA has announced an internal review.
The NSPCC has launched a dedicated hotline which received more than 850 calls in its first week.
Last week the Mirror revealed former Chelsea player Gary Johnson told he was paid £50,000 by the club to keep quiet about the horrific abuse he suffered as a child at the hands of chef scout Eddie Heath.
Aston Villa fan Prince William became President of the FA in 2006 and celebrated 10 years in the role in April this year with a lunch at Wembley .
Lan Ong Street, Hanoi, Vietnam (Photo: Getty)
The 34-year-old prince has previously proved he is not afraid of voicing his concerns over scandals facing the game, making a speech this May ahead of the FA Cup final outlining the “huge disconnect” between the sense of fair play and allegations of corruption within FIFA.
He told FA delegates: “There seems to be a huge disconnect between the sense of fair play that guides those playing and supporting the game, and the allegations of corruption that have long lingered around the management of the sport internationally.
Duke of Cambridge, (R) kicks a football in a football simulator during their visit to the National
Football Museum in Manchester (Photo: Getty)
“The events in Zurich this week represent Fifa’s Salt Lake City moment, when the International Olympic Committee went through a similar period of serious allegations.
“Fifa, like the IOC, must now show that it can represent the interests of fair play and put the sport first.”
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