According to AZ, the investigation also found no support for the general negative image of the youth academy, outlined by Berk. This was already apparent after a tour of NH Sport. “We are pleased that many players have indicated that they had a great time at the club”, AZ continues in the statement. “Many have explicitly distanced themselves from the accusations in the book. We emphasize that we have never heard these accusations before or other incidents described in the book.”
Conclusions of the research
After the investigation, AZ decided to write to the publisher of the book. The club wanted to stand up for (former) employees who were put in a bad light by the book.
“The publisher then decided to place a correction on its website regarding the ‘physiotherapist incident’. They also apologized for the fact that no right of reply was applied.”
In any subsequent printing, the passage in question will be completely removed from the book.
