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Abuse in sport—the tip of the iceberg?

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11 March 2022 / David Mayor , Alastair Gillespie
Issue: 7970 / Categories: Features , Sports law
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David Mayor & Alastair Gillespie look at the potential for litigation arising from the sportsfield, amid a spate of allegations
  • There has been a rise in disclosures of non-recent abuse in sport, some dating back years.
  • The courts are sympathetic to reasons for delaying litigation, such as shame and stigma.
  • Looks at cases and potential litigation in football, rugby and other sports.

So great has been the increase in disclosures of non-recent abuse in sport that it seems that hardly a day goes by without a dark, depressing headline, drawing the reader to yet another traumatic tale of verbal and physical assault, inappropriate sexual activity or other degrading behaviour inflicted on young people who endured abuse and humiliation because they felt they had to in order to continue pursuing their dreams.

Earlier this year it was reported that Gabonese football has been rocked by sickening allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by its president, Patrick Assoumou Eyi, during his time as head youth coach and technical director

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