Independent report into sexual abuse in Scottish football published

Scottish football clubs are being urged to issue an unreserved public apology for historical child abuse.

The findings of the SFA's investigation have now been released in a final independent report.

It was due to be published in 2018, but was withheld for legal reasons until after criminal proceedings related to matters referred to in the Report concluded.

All clubs and organisations linked to this review - including the likes of Celtic, Rangers and Hibs - are being called upon to apologise to those living with the 'enduring effects' of abuse.

The focus of the independent review looked at allegations of non-recent sexual abuse and the period in which these events mainly are said to have occurred (the 1970’s, 1980’s, and early 1990’s), the developments in ‘child protection’ in Scottish football between 2000 and 2013 and the current arrangements for the protection of young people and the reduction of risk in Scottish football.

It makes dozens of recommendations - including that the clubs give an "unequivocal and unreserved public apology" - on behalf of themselves and the wider football family.

It goes on to say that a culture change within Scottish football is urgently needed - particularly around attitudes to mental health, sexual conduct and homophobia.

As part of the review, 33 people, some of whom waived their anonymity, provided personal accounts of their experiences.

They included Peter Haynes, who alleged that in 1979 he was abused by a registered referee, coach and scout, who died in 2004.

He said he was subjected to sexual abuse and rape and felt unable to extricate himself or tell anyone because he felt he would be stigmatised and that it would jeopardise his football career.

Peter spoke to MFR and said although he welcomes the report, he is angry at the length of time it has taken.

He said: "I think it's shocking - to be turned away so many times after informing so many people.

"I've also had to live with the fact that despite all the things that I did, the person that abused me went on to abuse other children after I informed the SFA and the police, and he continued to do that until he died."

MFR also spoke with Bill Storrie, who says he was abused by coach Bill Kelly while playing for West Lothian team Uphall Saints when he was 12-years old.

He said: "We were advised by co-authors of the report that the intention would be that we would receive a copy before it was actually published, obviously that's never happened, and that is a disappointment."

Speaking on the report he says: "It's the fact of the necessity to make sure there's a full apology there to all the victims and their families - that's been missing in a lot of instances."

Another man, J Cleland, who also waived his anonymity, told how he was abused by a coach, referred to as D, who worked at Hutchison Vale Football Club and later at Hibernian and Rangers and died in 2014.

Mr Cleland joined Hutchison Vale (Youth) Football Club in the early 1980s when he was 10 and alleged he was raped by D on eight to 10 occasions, in addition to being sexually assaulted or abused on numerous other occasions.

The review found most of the young people who experienced sexual abuse did not report it to anyone else at the time, and in the majority of cases no-one in Scottish football knew about it.

However it said this does not necessarily mean there was no "level of suspicion" among some in the game.

The review authors said they were "struck by how easy it was for these adults (with a sexual interest in children and young people) to navigate Scottish football in such a way as to make their activities accomplishable and to maximise secrecy and concealment".

It said there were sometimes flaws in decision-making and omissions in the actions which were taken which meant that "regrettably sometimes this meant that little or no action was taken at all".

The review said it is "encouraging" that the Scottish FA and its members have taken serious steps to deliver on many of its recommendations for improvement in the interim report.

However it said it would be a "grave mistake" to believe sexual abuse in Scottish football is therefore a "historical" issue and that the sexual abuse of children and young people is not something which can be easily "eradicated".

Martin Henry, chair of the Independent Review of Child Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football, said: "It is to be hoped that the voices of those affected will now be heard and I hope today provides some assurance and a sense of personal justice and vindication.

"I am heartened by the progress made so far in Scottish football, but today should not be considered the end of this journey but a critical juncture to provide context to the work that is under way and which must continue."

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: "As Chief Executive of the Scottish FA I am deeply upset by the contents of the final report into sexual abuse in Scottish football and, in particular, by the deeply personal, traumatic experiences endured by young players who were abused by people in whom they and their families placed their trust.

"I reiterate my sincerest apology on behalf of Scottish football to all who have experienced abuse in our national game.

"The report also recognises the progress that the Scottish FA and its members have made to achieve the highest standards of wellbeing and protection for children and young people to play our national sport safely today.

"Since the board issued a directive in 2016 we can report that 80% of the original recommendations are either completed or in progress. The work is ongoing, overseen by the Independent Wellbeing and Protection Advisory Board and implemented through our Wellbeing and Protection department: themselves evidence of our commitment to the review and its recommendations.

"As the report also states, football provides a tremendous outlet for young people in Scotland and it is the responsibility of everyone involved in Scottish football to protect and cultivate that for future generations."

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