MX23RW : Sunday, October 6 17:07:23| >> :600:7072813:7072813:

Ex-Lionesses demand better protection from abuse

Ex-Lionesses demand better protection from abuse
© Reuters
Petition urges football's governing bodies to bring in clear safeguarding measures and educational programmes.

Former England stars Eni Aluko, Kelly Smith and Rachel Yankey are among more than 75 current and former players to sign a global petition calling for female players to be better protected from abuse and harassment.

Launched in response to the sexual abuse scandal which saw Afghanistan Football Federation boss Keramuudin Karim banned from the game for life last month, the petition is part of international football charity AFDP Global's #FearlessFootball campaign.

The petition urges football's governing bodies to bring in clear safeguarding measures and educational programmes, establish a whistleblowing process, punish those who break the rules and provide support to affected individuals.

Chelsea Ladies v Yeovil Town Ladies – Women's Super League – Kingsmeadow Stadium
Eni Aluko has signed the petition (John Stillwell/PA)

Among the other early supporters of the campaign are Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes, Afghanistan Women's team manager Kelly Lindsey, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and former Liverpool and England duo Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler.

In a statement, AFDP Global founder and former FIFA vice-president Prince Ali of Jordan said: "The lifetime ban and fine issued by FIFA against the president of the Afghanistan Football Federation is a first step.

"However, much more needs to be done to address widespread, systemic abuse and harassment in women's football. Everyone who cares deeply about the integrity and standing of the women's game needs to work together."

Lindsey, a former US international, said signing and sharing the #FearlessFootball petition would ensure that the survivors of the abuse in Afghanistan "are no longer ignored" and would "highlight profound failings in the integrity of world football governance".

Supporters will be able to sign the petition at www.change.org/p/fearless-football from 1030 BST on Wednesday.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Matt Slater, PA Chief Sports Reporter');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '9298f645-08b8-4a9a-b571-f1778a24d47c');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Former Lionesses call for female players to get better protection from abuse'});

ID:363559: cacheID:363559:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5833:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Emerson Hyndman in action for Bournemouth in the FA Cup on January 6, 2018
Read Next:
Bournemouth midfielder Emerson Hyndman loaned to Atalanta
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
2.30pm
Jets
@
Vikings
6pm
Panthers
@
Bears
6pm
Ravens
@
Bengals
6pm
Colts
@
Jags
6pm
Dolphins
@
Patriots
6pm
Bills
@
Texans
6pm
Browns
@
Washington
9.05pm
Cardinals
@
49ers
9.05pm
Raiders
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Packers
@
Rams
9.25pm
Giants
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool76011321118
2Manchester CityMan City7520178917
3Arsenal7520156917
4Chelsea7421168814
5Aston Villa7421129314
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle733187112
7Fulham7322108211
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs6312125710
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest724176110
10Brentford73131313010
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham72231011-18
13Bournemouth7223810-28
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd722358-38
15Leicester CityLeicester7133912-36
16Everton7124715-85
17Ipswich TownIpswich7043614-84
18Crystal Palace7034510-53
19Southampton7016415-111
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves7016921-121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!