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| Andy Woodward ‘hurt’ by wait to give police statement over sexual abuse | Andy Woodward ‘hurt’ by wait to give police statement over sexual abuse |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Andy Woodward has revealed he is still waiting to give police information about the alleged sexual abuse he suffered as a junior player and says he wants to “let go of that pain”. | Andy Woodward has revealed he is still waiting to give police information about the alleged sexual abuse he suffered as a junior player and says he wants to “let go of that pain”. |
| Last month the 43-year-old told the Guardian he was sexually abused as a young footballer in the 1980s. Woodward waived his right to lifelong anonymity to speak out – and others followed. | Last month the 43-year-old told the Guardian he was sexually abused as a young footballer in the 1980s. Woodward waived his right to lifelong anonymity to speak out – and others followed. |
| On social media on Wednesday night he revealed his disappointment at a lack of action and hinted that the delay was hindering his recovery. | On social media on Wednesday night he revealed his disappointment at a lack of action and hinted that the delay was hindering his recovery. |
| Woodward wrote on Twitter: “I’ve now been waiting 5 weeks to provide my statement with the police for further abuse on me. I’ve not mentioned it before now but it hurts. | Woodward wrote on Twitter: “I’ve now been waiting 5 weeks to provide my statement with the police for further abuse on me. I’ve not mentioned it before now but it hurts. |
| “I’ve kept quiet about it but now people should know I suffered more than one abuser. I need to let go of that pain yet still waiting.” | “I’ve kept quiet about it but now people should know I suffered more than one abuser. I need to let go of that pain yet still waiting.” |
| Messages of support followed for Woodward, which he retweeted. | Messages of support followed for Woodward, which he retweeted. |
| The Football Association chairman, Greg Clarke, has met alleged victims of abuse as the governing body attempts to deal with the problems of the past and ensure the safety of today’s young players. | The Football Association chairman, Greg Clarke, has met alleged victims of abuse as the governing body attempts to deal with the problems of the past and ensure the safety of today’s young players. |
| The FA has said that Clarke, who spoke to Woodward last month, held face-to-face talks with the former players Ian Ackley, Derek Bell, Paul Stewart and David White this week amid an independent review into the scandal. | The FA has said that Clarke, who spoke to Woodward last month, held face-to-face talks with the former players Ian Ackley, Derek Bell, Paul Stewart and David White this week amid an independent review into the scandal. |
| Clarke told the FA’s website: “I was humbled to hear their stories and their thoughts and views on safeguarding children in football, both past and present. | Clarke told the FA’s website: “I was humbled to hear their stories and their thoughts and views on safeguarding children in football, both past and present. |
| “We will continue to listen to victims and survivors throughout this process and look forward to maintaining this constructive dialogue.” | “We will continue to listen to victims and survivors throughout this process and look forward to maintaining this constructive dialogue.” |
| Clarke’s comments came after the FA board was told at its meeting on Thursday that 99% of its grassroots affiliated youth clubs, encompassing 62,238 teams, have renewed their safeguarding commitment to ensure the game is played in “a safe and fun environment”. | Clarke’s comments came after the FA board was told at its meeting on Thursday that 99% of its grassroots affiliated youth clubs, encompassing 62,238 teams, have renewed their safeguarding commitment to ensure the game is played in “a safe and fun environment”. |
| Those clubs who have not completed the required paperwork before the deadline have been temporarily suspended from all forms of football, including training, with the county FAs working with them to resolve any issues, which in some cases could be administrative rather than a failure to comply with safeguarding standards. | |
| In addition, the Premier League has contacted all its clubs to ensure they are aware of the avenues open to them if they have concerns, and written to the parents of the clubs’ academy players to highlight to provisions currently in place. | In addition, the Premier League has contacted all its clubs to ensure they are aware of the avenues open to them if they have concerns, and written to the parents of the clubs’ academy players to highlight to provisions currently in place. |
| The English Football League, too, has been in touch with its 72 clubs, all of whom have renewed their commitment to the welfare of their young players. | |
| Clarke said: “The current response by English football at all levels has been commendable. However, the challenge now is to reach out to those clubs that still need our assistance so that our safeguarding standards remain robust.” | Clarke said: “The current response by English football at all levels has been commendable. However, the challenge now is to reach out to those clubs that still need our assistance so that our safeguarding standards remain robust.” |
| The FA announced it had launched an independent review led by Clive Sheldon QC in response to reports, sparked by Woodward’s allegations of abuse, of non-recent child sexual abuse in football. | |
| According to the information gathered by Operation Hydrant – the UK-wide police investigation into non-recent child sexual abuse – 148 clubs are now involved, with 155 potential suspects and 429 victims, aged between four and 20. | According to the information gathered by Operation Hydrant – the UK-wide police investigation into non-recent child sexual abuse – 148 clubs are now involved, with 155 potential suspects and 429 victims, aged between four and 20. |
| These figures are the result of 819 referrals to Operation Hydrant, with about three-quarters of those coming from the dedicated helpline set up by the FA and child protection charity NSPCC last month and the rest from police forces. | These figures are the result of 819 referrals to Operation Hydrant, with about three-quarters of those coming from the dedicated helpline set up by the FA and child protection charity NSPCC last month and the rest from police forces. |
| • The helpline, available 24 hours a day, can be reached on 0800 023 2642. | • The helpline, available 24 hours a day, can be reached on 0800 023 2642. |