By Marie Crowe and Mark Tighe
An Garda Síochána has opened an investigation into a former senior football coach following allegations from female footballers that he made unwanted sexual advances on players in the 1990s.
A separate complaint has also been made about a second senior coach.
The women's allegations came to light during an investigation conducted jointly by RTÉ Investigates and the Sunday Independent over a two-and-a-half-year period.
The joint investigation interviewed dozens of players. Several have spoken on camera about their experiences of alleged inappropriate sexual advances made by male coaches.
Details of their experiences are to be covered by RTÉ online over the coming days, and in a major documentary on RTÉ One television on Sunday night, as well as published in a special report in the Sunday Independent newspaper and on the Irish Independent website.
This afternoon FAI president Paul Cooke emailed members of the association’s General Assembly to alert them to the upcoming media reporting.
Mr Cooke said: "I wanted to make you aware of an upcoming media story relating to a series of allegations of historical abuse of women involved in football in the 1990s. You may see the story promoted over the coming days and I wanted to give you the reassurance that the association is treating this matter with the utmost importance and is engaging both with the women involved and the relevant authorities."
Mr Cooke said that "all safeguarding concerns that are brought to the attention of the association are dealt with as a matter of priority."
Some of those who allege they experienced unwanted sexual advances from coaches were shocked to discover during the joint investigation that former teammates claimed to have suffered similar experiences.
The former players have spoken about being deeply traumatised by the alleged actions of coaches.
Some women who spoke to the joint investigation had never previously told anyone about their experience.
Many said they were previously afraid to speak out but have agreed to do so now to help make football safer for the ever-increasing number of girls and young women taking up the sport.
"I feel sad, first of all, that I'm not the only one. It's terrible. I hope to God this never ever happens to any other girl out there ever again," one interviewee said.
The former coaches have denied any wrongdoing.
A Garda spokesman confirmed they had begun an investigation into "at least one complaint."
"An Garda Síochána respects the confidentiality of engagements with private citizens, including correspondence or complaints which may or may not have been received from third parties," a spokesman said.
"An Garda Síochána, through the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) are in contact with and continue to engage with a number of potential complainants. As with any engagements with potential victims of crime, An Garda Síochána continues to support these complainants in the manner and timeframe with which they are comfortable to engage with the criminal justice process."
Last Friday, the FAI announced it was introducing a new anonymous reporting mechanism to allow players and others to flag concerns and report inappropriate behaviour to Raiseaconcern, an independent complaint handling firm.
The Play It Right campaign - which is to be rolled out to clubs across the country - will promote good behaviour and promote a confidential independent helpline and website for anyone who wants to report a serious concern anonymously.
Four days before the announcement, reporters from RTÉ and the Sunday Independent contacted the FAI seeking an official response to concerns raised by the women about their treatment by coaches in the 1990s.
In a statement, the FAI said it was "shocked and appalled to learn of disturbing allegations of abuse brought forward by women in involved in Irish football in the 1990s."
The FAI said it had met with some of the women to listen to and acknowledge their experiences, while also offering support.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, has described the allegations as "very shocking."
"I have been assured that the Football Association of Ireland, as the National Governing Body for the sport, is engaging and co-operating with the live Garda investigation into these allegations, with an athlete-centred approach," she said in a statement on Thursday evening.
"I commend the bravery of the women who have stepped forward," she added.
In its statement, the FAI said it has contacted the gardai and Tusla about the cases, in accordance with mandatory reporting requirements and its own safeguarding and child welfare regulations.
"The Association acknowledges the enormous courage of the women in coming forward and making their concerns known and would encourage anyone involved in Irish football to report any concern that may arise," it said.
"The Association believes unequivocally that everyone involved in Irish football should at all times feel that they are in a safe environment and that appropriate safeguarding and reporting processes are in place and operating effectively."
The Professional Footballers Association of Ireland (PFAI) has been providing support to the women over the last six months.
The FAI has asked that anyone who experienced harm or abuse from Irish football to contact an independent contractor it has hired to take statements from complainants.
The contact numbers for Raiseaconcern are 01 6107929 or 086 0299929. Individuals can also email football@raiseaconcern.com.
Anyone who wishes to contact the team behind the joint investigation with information can contact marie.crowe@rte.ie / mark.tighe@independent.ie
