Football’s Abuse Scandal: The FA’s Darkest Secret | #411
RedHanded
Thursday, 7 August 2025 - 1 hour 16 minutes
In 2016, ex-footballer Andy Woodward revealed on live TV that he and countless other boys were sexually abused by their former youth coach, Barry Bennell, whilst training in Manchester City and Crewe Alexandra’s acclaimed “football factories” as youngsters in the 1980s and 90s.
In doing so, he blew the whistle on one of the UK’s most prolific child abusers – and triggered a scandal that went deeper than anyone could’ve imagined…
Because Barry Bennell wasn’t the first – or the last – paedophilic predator to muddy the pitch of the beautiful game. The widespread child abuse scandal tore through the heart of British football, revealing a toxic culture more interested in collecting trophies than protecting children.
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The Offside Trust – Survivor-led support organisation dedicated to safeguarding children & young people across sport
NSPCC – The UK Children’s Charity
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