Multiple female football players have claimed they were subjected to unwanted or inappropriate sexual advances from male FAI coaches in the 1990s.

Former international players and trainees who participated in Ireland's first State-funded all-women's soccer course have made the claims in a joint investigation by RTÉ Investigates and the Irish Independent.

Gardaí have confirmed they've launched an investigation into at least one complaint. 

Sunday Independent journalist Mark Tighe said the investigation discovered a “pattern” of alleged behaviour by named football coaches.

“Women - former players - were subject to unwanted sexual advances [and] relationships with coaches where there was a huge age gap,” he told The Anton Savage Show.

“They didn’t realise other players - their friends - had the same experiences and had been carrying this guilt and shame.”

Mr Tighe said the women had their football careers “derailed” due to the alleged incidents. 

“It really affected their mental health and they fell out of love with the game,” he said.

Power play

One of the women alleged she had been in a relationship with a coach who was 12 years older than her. 

“I don’t think it’s ever correct for a coach to be in a relationship with a player – especially a young player with a huge age gap,” Mr Tighe said. 

“In any football dressing room, there's a pyramid and the coach is at the very top of that. 

“If you piss off your coach, if you get on his wrong side, you might not be picked. 

“When you bring relationships into that, what choice did women have saying no?” 

FAI investigation

Another woman told investigators she was openly gay while training in the 1990s – but claimed a coach attempted to kiss her. 

“She was never picked again for her team,” Mr Tighe said. 

Mr Tighe noted that the investigation did not have a “paper trail” of hard evidence.

“What we relied on was women coming forward,” he said. 

“Women had to go and tell their families, maybe they haven’t said it ever before, maybe tell their partners.” 

FAI told investigators it was “appalled to learn of disturbing allegations”. 

In a statement this afternoon, the former players - who have united to form the new 'Sportswomen Against Abuse' group - said the matter has been left in the hands of the Gardaí, adding, "our pain will be the next generation's gain."

The two named coaches strenuously deny all allegations.

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