FIFA does not rule out more cases of sexual abuse in women's football

Scandal in US soccer over allegations of sexual coercion 1:24

(CNN) -

After allegations of abuses in women's soccer in the United States, Venezuela and Australia came to light in recent weeks, the sport's governing body, FIFA, fears they are the "tip of the iceberg."

Joyce Cook, FIFA's Director of Education and Social Responsibility, told CNN Sport's Amanda Davies that there will likely be similar stories out there, and encourages people to report.

"We are incredibly serious about eradicating abuses in sport, in football," Cook said.

"We have spoken with many other international sports federations about this in the last year," he added.

"And what is clear is that part of ensuring that we have a safe sport means that we also have to provide a remedy for those who have been abused, who are being abused and to make sure that any perpetrator is not only unwelcome, Instead, he is banned from the sport, Cook said.

"So I think we will see many more cases that will be presented, without a doubt. And that is why we must and urge people to report and feel safe to do so."

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Former New Zealand international Rebecca Smith, who worked at FIFA between 2013 and 2018, says she was "shocked" by the lack of structure around reporting abuse.

"There was no established way to handle reports or information that came in about sexual abuse or sexual harassment," Smith told CNN Sport.

"And then just the communications, both internal and external to those who had raised complaints or issues, just the lack of care and communication. It was really disappointing if I'm really honest, because I feel like there is nothing more important than health and safety. of the protagonists of the sport ".

"So I think it is much more frequent, much more widespread than what is said to the public. And I think it has to be a priority for the governing bodies and those responsible for the health and safety of the players," he added.

When offered a right to reply to Smith's comments, FIFA said its notification system, BKMS, was launched in 2013.

However, FIFA has another problem in the challenge it faces in dealing with abuses in women's football: unpaid fines.

"They have imposed a million dollars on us," Cook said.

"We have not seen those fines paid. And we have no way to enforce them because, you know, we have to sanction individuals."

Zero tolerance against abuse

In a statement sent to CNN, FIFA said that recent allegations of abuse in football show that it is a "big problem that affects us all and that it cannot be tolerated anymore."

"FIFA has shown that there is a zero tolerance policy for sexual abuse in football: anyone found guilty of misconduct and abuse will be brought to justice, sanctioned and removed from the game," he said.

"At the same time, the entire world football community must do more to prevent these cases from occurring and put appropriate measures in place to support the victims."

The governing body for world football noted the work it has done in recent years, in particular its FIFA Guardians program and toolkit for member associations in 2019, as well as the FIFA Guardians in Sport Safeguarding Diploma. , "to train and support member associations in the implementation of appropriate measures to ensure the protection of children and vulnerable groups and to professionalize the role of safeguard representative throughout football."

Through a series of workshops and webinars aimed at young people, the Diploma of Safeguarding in Sport hopes to train and support safeguard representatives in the 211 FIFA member associations around the world.

Various complaints of abuse in women's football

The FIFA statement comes after an investigation was announced following allegations of sexual abuse by former Venezuelan national soccer coach Kenneth Zseremeta, the country's attorney general announced in early October. , Tarek William Saab.

Soccer star Deyna Castellanos and 23 other players posted a letter accusing her former coach, Zseremeta, of psychological and sexual abuse and harassment because of her sexual orientation.

CNN has not been able to reach Zseremeta for comment and it is not yet clear whether he has obtained legal representation.

Zseremeta was the coach of the U-17 and U-20 women's teams until 2017. He is among Venezuela's most successful soccer coaches of all time, with teams winning the South American U-17 Soccer Championship twice, in 2013 and 2016.

Coach fired for allegations of sexual coercion 1:43

CNN has contacted Saab and the Venezuelan Football Federation following the announcement, but has yet to receive a response.

Also in October, Football Australia announced the formation of an independent complaints management process to "allow current and former footballers and staff to raise concerns about alleged abuse, harassment or intimidation in relation to Football Australia national teams and the Leagues. TO".

The case of Lisa De Vanna

The news comes after former Australian striker Lisa De Vanna revealed that she had been the victim of sexual assault, harassment and intimidation during her career.

The 36-year-old former forward made her accusations for the first time in response to a post by Megan Rapinoe on Twitter in which the US international commented on allegations of misconduct against former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley.

De Vanna replied that she had witnessed soccer women abusing younger female players, and how organizations protected abusers.

And in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, De Vanna laid out some of his personal experiences in soccer, as well as his desire for future change.

"There have to be consequences," De Vanna said.

"There has to be responsibility. I have seen cultural problems at all levels throughout the years - of men and women - and the girls who come have to be brave, and also the girls who have been through this also have to be brave. and know that they are not alone. "

When contacted by CNN about De Vanna about his comments, Football Australia said it takes a "zero tolerance approach" to this type of behavior, and has met with De Vanna.

He also said that since a review in 2019, Football Australia has put in place multiple measures to try to prevent these cases.

"Key initiatives so far have included the appointment of specialized resources in and around our national women's teams, including new senior and assistant coaches, technical and high-performance directors, and a national wellness manager."

"In addition, we have introduced improvements to equal pay, multi-channel feedback processes and a revised member protection framework and whistleblower policy."

Smith, a former player, said these abuse accusations go "against the fundamental values ​​of soccer."

"Soccer, for someone like me, was a place where it was not only safe, but you could really have the freedom to express who you were and to learn and have positive experiences of growth," said the former New Zealand international.

"I learned a lot through football, and that's why I've stayed in football to give something back ... The reason I'm in football is because it has the potential and the power to change many things for the better."

"It can change cultures, it can change stereotypes, it can advance women's issues in areas of the world where another hundreds of years could pass, whereas if you put them to play soccer, you see how people start to look at them. otherwise and they feel their confidence increase and they realize how much they can achieve despite what they have been told for so many years. And you see things change instantly, "he said.

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"But then seeing the other side, the darkest, is shocking, terrifying and horrifying. And I don't think there is anything worse than going to an environment where you think it should be one of the safest, most fun and most open places. to which you can go and find that exactly the opposite happens, "he lamented.

A growing number

American women's soccer has been shaken by the allegations that have followed the firing of Riley, a former coach of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), by the North Carolina Courage.

An investigative report by The Athletic cites female players who claim that for years Riley used his influence and power to sexually harass female players and, in one incident, coerce a female player into having sex with him.

Riley denied the allegations in The Athletic report.

CNN was unable to reach Riley for comment on that version.

Former NWSL player Mana Shim accused Riley of being a "predator" who "sexually harassed" her, while another former player, Sinead Farrelly, said the damage Riley caused "seeps into every part" of her livelihoods. .

When NWSL action resumed, players from various games paused in the 6th minute - to highlight the six years it took Shim, Farrelly and others to be heard - and joined in the center circle, linking arms in a show of solidarity.

Farrelly told CNN that seeing those players give that show of unity left her in awe.

"Seeing them standing in unity and solidarity, I hope it is clear that people know that the players are the league. And you have to protect them."

"They are the most important part of this and to see the power of what they did last night, to stand in unity with us and also with each other, arm in arm, it was very powerful and I hope that people have felt it."

In recent years, FIFA has banned prominent soccer officials in Haiti and Afghanistan.

In November last year, the president of the Haitian Football Federation (FHF), Yves Jean-Bart, was banned from football for life by FIFA following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and abuse.

The FIFA Ethics Committee states that Jean-Bart had "abused his position and sexually harassed and abused several female players, including minors, in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics".

Jean-Bart's spokesman Evan Nierman said his client would appeal the decision, saying in a statement: "FIFA's decision is a travesty of justice and a purely political move to avoid further controversy and bad press following a series of high-profile scandals. "

Also last year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) confirmed the lifetime ban imposed by FIFA on Keramuudin Karim, former president of the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF). , after investigating allegations that male officials sexually and physically abused female national team players.

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The allegations led Danish sportswear brand Hummel to cancel its endorsement deals with the AFF and to demand Karim's resignation.

Khalida Popal, a former Afghan player, told CNN in 2018 that the abuses took place during a seven-day training camp in Jordan in late January of that year.

Popal, who was forced to flee Afghanistan and now lives in Denmark, was present at the Jordan training camp.

It states that at least five women were abused in their rooms by two male officials, who had been sent by the AFF to accompany the players.

The CAS dismissed Karim's appeal, confirming his sanction and the fine of US $ 1.07 million (1 million Swiss francs).

Stefano Pozzebon contributed to this report.

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