Kolbeinn Sigthórsson provided the Icelandic football moment of all time when he sent his country to the European Championship quarter-finals at the expense of England’s stars in 2016.
Just over five years later, the striker is in the middle of an abuse scandal that shakes Icelandic football.
Thorhildur Gyda Arnarsdottir recently went open with RÚV and claimed that she and another woman were subjected to violence and sexual abuse by a national team player in connection with a nightclub visit to Reykjavik in 2017.
Sigthórsson has subsequently made himself known and denied the accusations.
– I do not recognize that I harassed them, nor that I have been violent and denied guilt. However, my behavior was not exemplary, and I apologize. I regretted it at the time, took responsibility and offered that we make up between us, Sigthórsson writes in the statement.
Manfall in the football association
Sigthórsson paid compensation to Arnarsdottir and the other woman. In addition, he donated just over 200,000 Norwegian kroner to Stígamót, an organization that works for victims of sexual abuse. According to Arnarsdottir it was her suggestion.
The Icelandic Football Association (KSÍ) was notified and offered Arnarsdottir compensation for signing a declaration of confidentiality. Should one believe RÚV, Arnarsdottir was offered 20,000 Norwegian kroner, but the proposal was rejected. The case was also reported to the police, but it has not resulted in anything.
The abuse scandal has triggered hectic meeting activities in KSÍ this week. After several crisis meetings, it ended with chairman Gudni Bergsson and 16 other board members resigningfrom their roles in the football association.