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Child abuse in football

Abuse of children in the sport

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Through UNICEF

Child abuse in football has been reported in different countries and has involved both amateur and professional levels of the sport. The abuse can occur within football clubs, academies, or other football-related organisations, and may involve coaches, staff members, or other individuals in positions of authority. Several high-profile cases have brought attention to the issue and led to investigations, legal actions, and calls for better safeguarding measures within football.

Football governing bodies, such as FIFA and national football associations, have implemented various measures to protect young participants. These measures include enhanced background checks for coaches and staff, the establishment of clear codes of conduct and reporting mechanisms, and mandatory safeguarding training for those involved in youth football. Additionally, independent inquiries and investigations have been conducted to uncover the extent of child abuse in football and to provide recommendations for improved safeguarding practices.

Overview

Definition

Child abuse in association football or soccer refers to instances where children involved in football, whether as players or in other roles, have been subjected to various forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

Child abuse refers to the physical, sexual, and/ or psychological maltreatment or neglect of a child or children, particularly by a parent or caregiver. It may include any act or failure to act by a caregiver or parent that results in harm, actual or potential, to a child and can occur in a child's home, organisations, schools, or community. Child abuse can take various forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.

Different professionals, social and cultural groups, and even different time periods have varying definitions of what constitutes child abuse. Abuse and maltreatment are often used interchangeably, and child maltreatment can be an umbrella term that covers all forms of child abuse and neglect. The definition of child maltreatment depends on cultural values related to children, child development, and parenting. Definitions of child maltreatment can vary among different sectors of society that deal with the issue, such as child protection agencies, legal and medical communities, public health officials, researchers, practitioners, and child advocates.

Abuse usually refers to deliberate acts of commission, while neglect refers to acts of omission. Child maltreatment includes both acts of commission and acts of omission by parents or caregivers that cause actual or threatened harm to a child. Some health professionals and authors consider neglect as part of the definition of abuse, while others do not. Delayed effects of child abuse and neglect, especially emotional neglect, and the diversity of acts that qualify as child abuse are also factors.

The World Health Organization defines child abuse and child maltreatment as "all forms of physical and/ or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child's health, survival, development, or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust, or power". According to the WHO, violence against children encompasses various types of violence directed towards individuals below the age of 18, irrespective of whether it is inflicted by parents, caregivers, peers, intimate partners, or individuals unknown to the child.

Statistics

Lack of data

In general, there is no statistics on child abuse in most of non European countries, including UAE and Iraq. This in some instances stem from the lack of an explicit definition to child abuse. For example,

  • Child abuse in China is not explicitly defined in the Chinese law code. The existing laws, such as the Law on the Protection of Minors and the Criminal Law, do not have specific articles on child abuse. Statistics suggest that a significant number of Chinese children have experienced various forms of abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.
  • The Sudanese Child Law of 2010 increased the punishment for child molestation which may reach 15 years in prison, but it criminalised sexual abuse without defining it, and the definition typically taken from the Criminal Code.
  • The United Arab Emirates does not have a specific criminal offence called "child abuse" but uses the term as a comprehensive description of a range of activities that may or may not constitute criminal offences.
  • The Tunisian Penal Code stipulates a penalty for child molestation, and the penalty ranges from two years to 12 years in prison if it is committed by a person who has authority over the victim. Tunisian lawyer, Sabrine Weslati, said in an interview with Al-Hurra website that, "Unfortunately, there are texts that punish sexual harassment in general and children in particular, but there is no law specific to sexual crimes against minor".

In addition, the fear of shame and stigma often acts as a significant barrier for children and families when it comes to reporting child abuse. Victims of child abuse, particularly sexual abuse, may experience a sense of shame and anticipation of stigma, which can lead to non-disclosure and avoidance of seeking help. This fear comes from various factors, including societal attitudes, cultural norms, and concerns about personal and familial reputation. The anticipation of shame and stigma can be even more pronounced in certain communities or cultural contexts where discussing sensitive topics like child abuse is considered taboo or where there is a lack of awareness and understanding about the issue. Also, the fear of ruining family honour often prevents children from speaking out about sexual abuse, further exacerbating the issue of reporting abuse. Also, the fear of shame and several factors prevent an unknown number of victims and their families from receiving or seeking treatment.

Available data

In Europe, a study conducted by the Edge Hill University and the University of Wuppertal in six European countries, Austria, the Wallonia region of Belgium, Germany, Romania, Spain, and the UK, and involving over 10,000 individuals revealed that three-quarters of children had encountered abuse in sport, with boys being more vulnerable than girls. The research, funded by the European Union, highlighted that abuse is common in non-school sports was psychological, such as a lack of recognition to humiliating treatment. Around 64% of the participants reported experiencing psychological abuse, while 44% had encountered physical violence. Mike Hartill, the lead author of the report from Edge Hill University, emphasised that the findings indicate insufficient efforts by sports governing bodies in Europe to protect children and call for more significant actions beyond mere policy development.

The study focused on individuals aged 18 to 30 who had participated in sports before the age of 18, with the highest incidence of abuse observed among those who had competed internationally, with 84% reporting some form of abuse. Hartill stressed that the potential harm caused by withholding recognition and its potential role in grooming for more severe forms of abuse. The prevalence of abuse varied across countries, with Belgium having the highest incidence at 80% and Austria the lowest at 70%. Notably, except for Austria, in all the countries surveyed, there was a notable increase in the likelihood of boys encountering violence compared to other groups.

In addition, Instances of sexual harassment have been reported among female athletes in Greece, with approximately 32% of female athletes reporting experiences of sexual harassment from male athletes, while 16% reported such incidents involving their coaches.

In Africa, the Committee on Youth, Sport, and Child Matters in Zambia's National Assembly received a petition advocating for stricter laws on child abuse. The 2014 Zambia Violence against Children Survey (VACS), a national survey that examines experiences of physical, sexual, and emotional violence among 13-24-year-olds in Zambia, was conducted revealing that two in five males and two in six females experienced child abuse.

Children safeguarding in football

FIFA, the international governing body of football, provides guidelines and toolkits for safeguarding children in football. These resources outline steps that football organisations should take to establish safeguarding policies, develop procedures and guidelines, and communicate and educate stakeholders about child protection. Regional football confederations, such as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), also recognise the significance of child safeguarding and have established policies to ensure the well-being and rights of children involved in football.

The African Union Sport Council (AUSC) has introduced a manual titled "Promoting Safety in African Sport and Sport for Development (S4D) Environments: A Comprehensive Guide for Practitioners, from Policy to Implementation." This manual seeks to ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults engaged in sports activities in Africa, offering essential insights and resources for professionals working in this field. Additionally, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has taken steps to ensure the safety and protection of youngsters participating in football activities. CAF has organized safeguarding workshops as part of the CAF African Schools Football Championship.

Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), in collaboration with Terre des hommes, has developed a child safeguarding toolkit for European football associations to protect children from abuse and respond to concerns. Additionally, UEFA and Terre des hommes have conducted in-depth child safeguarding workshops for national football associations, aiming to enhance knowledge and advance child safeguarding practices. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC), UEFA, and Terre des Hommes Italy have actively participated in delivering educational programs to safeguard children and young people from abuse, violence, and discrimination. The UEFA has partnered with Terre des hommes Albania to develop a national child protection policy in Albania, aligning with UEFA's initiative to safeguard children in football.

The Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF), for instance, has approved a Child Safeguarding Policy to create safe conditions for football and children. The UNICEF and the Romanian Football Federation (RFF) initiated programs aimed at combating violence against children. The Greek government has recognised the need for tougher laws to combat sexual abuse and protect minors, as a response to the increasing number of scandals in culture and sport. Programs and initiatives, such as those carried out by Terre des hommes, aim to consolidate policies and protocols in sports and recreation settings, including summer camps, to protect children and prevent abuse.

The Football Association (FA) in England offered safeguarding courses that are football-focused and child-centred, with the goal of increasing awareness and creating a safe and enjoyable football environment for all participants. The FA emphasises the importance of obtaining consent from parents or guardians before involving children in football activities and encourages open communication with children to ensure a positive experience. Over 350,000 individuals have attended these courses.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has acknowledged child welfare issues. It has been in contact with counterparts such as the English Football Association (FA) and the Irish Football Association to improve safeguarding measures.

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