The NHL has launched an investigation into the 2018 Canadian Under-21 team, who are accused of harassment.
And this week, the former head coach of the Russian women's football team, Vera Pauve, who currently heads the team from Ireland, decided to tell her sad story.
On social networks, the Dutch woman said that 35 years ago, when she played for the national team, she was repeatedly sexually abused.
First, Pauw was the victim of a prominent sports official, and then two more men who also worked for the Royal Netherlands Football Association.
At the same time, the 59-year-old specialist did not tell anyone about the incident for a long time, even to his relatives and friends.
However, now, being in a comfortable and safe environment in Ireland, I decided to take a difficult step for myself in order to set an example for other girls in a similar situation.
Moreover, according to the coach, for many years she asked the KNVB to start an investigation within the organization in order to punish the perpetrators, but she never achieved anything.
“For the past few years, I have tried to get an impartial and fair hearing of my case by the Dutch football authorities, but to no avail.
Some would rather keep quiet about the rape and sexual harassment of me than offer me the support I need by going public with this story.
I can no longer be silent with them,” wrote Pauve.
As a result, Vera went to the extreme measure - she turned to the police.
It was very difficult for her, because she understands that every time during the investigation she will have to remember the suffering that she experienced.
“After once again I did not receive a satisfactory response to my request for an investigation, by submitting the fifth incident report, I reported the rape and sexual harassment against me to the Dutch police.
It already seems to me that for me this will be the beginning of the end, but I know that even more experiences await me ahead, ”Vera explained.
Does not trust Pauve and journalists.
The coach fears that the publications of the Netherlands will try to denigrate her name and distort the truth.
“In the Dutch media, stories about my terrible suffering may appear, and I know that statements can be made against me in order to spoil my story.
I take full responsibility for what I did and for what I could not do, ”the specialist wrote.
The Football Association of Ireland said that they were aware of the events that took place in the life of Pauw.
In an official statement, the FAI promises to support its coach, and also asks journalists to approach the situation with understanding and not bother her with questions on this topic.
“Some time ago Vera brought senior management into this issue and the FAI offered her all the support she could possibly need on a personal and professional level.
The organization is well aware of the implications these revelations will have on Vera's well-being and has assured her that the FAI Council and all of her colleagues from the association support her fully."
The KNVB was shocked by the information shared by Pauw.
The union said that they did not pay enough attention to Vera's "first signals" in 2011.
As a result, an independent organization even conducted an internal investigation into why it was not listened to.
“As a result, we made a joint decision to study this issue.
Vera wanted Verinorm, an independent research agency specializing in public safety, to take care of it.
In the past, Vera has unfortunately been the target of several errors of judgment and painful comments from former union employees.
During the investigation, the Verinorm agency also revealed that there was no plan or policy of the KNVB behind this, ”The Guardian quoted the press service of the organization.
Football officials are now promising to study the recommendations from the independent experts' report in more detail so that this does not happen again, as well as to discuss with Vera further steps to assist in her case.