World governing body of football, FIFA, have launched a new global programme dedicated to enhancing child safeguarding standards within the sport.
The new initiative named, FIFA Guardians, will provide practical guidance to each of the 211 member organisations in reviewing their existing safeguarding measures through a series of training modules and workshops.
The FIFA Guardians toolkit will be based on five principles and five steps that are underpinned by recognised international standards. Such measures will become a requirement to receive member association funding from FIFA .
The initiative comes following a number of historical child abuse cases in sport that have come to public knowledge, including the British football sexual abuse scandal in 2016, the Larry Nasar, former USA Gymnastics national team doctor case, and most recently the sexual allegations towards the Afghanistan Football Federation from the Women’s national team.
FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, said: “FIFA’s vision is to promote the game of football, protect its integrity and bring the game to all. In realising this vision, we aim to ensure that involvement in football, in any form, is a positive experience for all children.” The programme is also expected to develop for the protection of vulnerable adults.
Please click here to view the FIFA's statement.
