An independent investigation states that the KNVB should have approached a number of cases regarding reports of sexual abuse by Pauw differently. “We acknowledge the errors mentioned in the report and should not have happened to her,” the KNVB said in a response.
‘Turn off actions’
Pauw reported yesterday in an article in NRC and in a statement via Twitter that she was raped in the past by an official of the football association. Two other cases of sexual abuse are also said to have taken place. Pauw accuses the union that it has not acted sufficiently on reports from her about the sexual abuse.
“In personal contact with Vera, we have experienced that this situation unfortunately has a lot of impact on her and we are sorry for that,” the KNVB said. “We want to discuss the recommendations from the report internally and with Vera as soon as possible, but very carefully so that we can take action, also with a view to restorative mediation.”
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Insufficient alert
The independent investigation decided by the union and Pauw in 2021 states that the KNVB was not sufficiently alert to the first signals from Pauw in 2011 about sexually transgressive behaviour. The KNVB acknowledges that the response was not sharp enough at the time.
The union also says that after a conversation in 2017, Pauw had explicitly asked not to take any action.
Declare
According to the KNVB, after consultation with research agency Verinorm, Pauw had decided not to file a report or to make a report to the Institute for Sports Law (ISR). The KNVB says that the association has respected that choice. “The intention was to protect Vera, but we should have taken other roads,” the KNVB responds.
Pauw stated in NRC and in her statement that she has now reported the rape and sexual abuse to the police.
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Irish federation: all support
The Irish Football Association (FAI) says it gives its full support to Irish football team coach Vera Pauw “at this difficult time for her as she has made brave revelations from her past”.
“Vera has been in contact with the federation’s leadership for some time about these matters and the FAI has promised her all the help she needs on a personal and professional level,” the Irish federation said. “The FAI is well aware of the impact these revelations will have on Vera’s well-being and has assured her the continued full support of the board and all her colleagues.”
The former national coach of the Dutch football players has been in charge of the Irish women’s team since September 2019. Pauw extended that contract in February last year until the end of the qualifications for the 2023 World Cup.
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