MADRID, 2 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Irish women’s soccer coach, the Dutch Vera Pauw, has revealed that she was raped and sexually assaulted by three men who worked at the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) during her time as a player, facts that the body tried to cover up.
“For these last 35 years I have kept this quiet. I have allowed her memory to control my life, fill me with daily pain and anguish, dominate my inner feelings. To many, I am like a brash and loud football coach, a tough woman that has reached the top in a world of men. Nothing is further from the truth, “he explained in a statement.
The 59-year-old former coach of the Scottish, Dutch, Russian and South African national teams said she had been abused by “a prominent soccer official” and had also been sexually assaulted by “two other men.” “For the past few years, I have tried to get my case heard fairly by the football authorities in the Netherlands, but to no avail,” she said.
“Some people would rather keep my rape and sexual assault a secret than offer me the support I need in opening this story to the world. I can no longer share the silence,” he added, saying he had reported the incident to the police.
The Irish Football Federation gave all its “personal and professional support” to its coach, who has held the position since September 2019, at this “difficult time in her life” and thanked her “courageous revelations”. “We are fully aware of the impact these statements will have on Vera’s well-being and we assure her of continued support. We ask the media to respect Vera’s privacy at this very difficult time,” she said.