Vera Pauw

Ms Pauw said she was subsequently sexually assaulted by two other men also employed by Dutch football. The 59-year-old released a statement on social media this ...

To many I am seen as a brash loud football coach and manager, a tough woman who has risen to the top in a man’s world. “I have allowed the memory of it to control my life, fill me with family pain and anguish, and dominate my inner feelings. "Trust me, my story is very real and very true. “For the past number of years I have tried to have my case heard in a fair and just manner by the football authorities in the Netherlands but to no avail. Her statement reads: “For 35 years I have kept a secret from the world, from my family, from my team-mates, my players, my colleagues, and I can now accept, from myself. She said she has kept the abuse private for 35 years but has tried to have her case heard by football authorities in the Netherlands “but to no avail”.

Women's football manager says she was raped as a young player in the Dutch squad.

“In personal contact with Vera, we have experienced that this situation, unfortunately, has a lot of impact on her and we are sorry for that. “Stories may appear in the Dutch media of my horrific ordeal and I know claims may be made against me in an effort to tarnish my story. “It is unacceptable that Vera did not experience the safe working environment to which she was entitled at the time.” “I am seen as a brash and loud football coach and manager, a tough woman who has risen to the top in a man's world. “Some people would rather keep my rape and sexual assaults quiet than offer me the support I need by opening this story to the world. “Only those I can trust have known until now of the systematic sexual abuse, abuse of power, bullying, intimidation, isolation, and framing I was exposed to as a player and as national coach in Dutch football.”

Vera Pauw also alleged she suffered two other sexual assaults by two other men as a young player.

“The Football Association of Ireland has given its full support to Republic of Ireland Women’s Senior Team Manager Vera Pauw at this difficult time in her life as she makes very brave revelations about her past,” a statement from the Association said. “It is unacceptable that Vera did not experience the safe working environment to which she was entitled at the time,” the KNVB said. She revealed she has allowed memories of the incidents to “control my life, to fill me with daily pain and anguish, to dominate my inner feelings.”

Pauw levelled accusations of “systematic sexual abuse, abuse of power, bullying, intimidation, isolation and framing” against football authorities in Holland ...

Even those closest to me have not known of the rape I endured at the hands of a prominent football official when I was a young player. I have allowed the memory of it to control my life, to fill me with daily pain and anguish, to dominate my inner feelings. Some people would rather keep my rape and sexual assaults quiet than offering me the support I need by opening this story to the world. I have always felt safe and continue to feel safe and supported in Ireland and I cannot tell you how good that feels. “Even those closest to me have not known of the rape I endured at the hands of a prominent football official when I was a young player. This is who I am, I don’t have to hide any more. Stories may appear in the Dutch media of my horrific ordeal and I know claims may be made against me in an effort to tarnish my story. That already feels like the beginning of the end for me but I know there will be more heartache to come. To many I am seen as a brash and loud football coach and manager, a tough woman who has risen to the top in a man’s world. In personal contact with Vera, we have experienced that this situation unfortunately has a lot of impact on her and we are sorry for that.” “I can no longer share the silence. All three men were employed within Dutch football at the time of these incidents.”

She claims she was raped by a "prominent football official" as a young player.

She adds: "Only those I can trust have known until now of the systematic sexual abuse, abuse of power, bullying, intimidation, isolation and framing I was exposed to as a player and as a national coach in Dutch football". On Twitter she says: "Even those closest to me have not known of the rape I endured at the hands of a prominent football official when I was a young player. In a statement, she claims she was raped by a "prominent football official" as a young player.

The Football Association of Ireland has given its full support to the women's national-team head coach, Vera Pauw, after her revelations of rape and sexual ...

“In the past, Vera has unfortunately been confronted with a number of [estimation] errors and harmful comments from [former] KNVB employees. Also with a view to recovery mediation.” The KNVB said it had been “very shocked” by Pauw’s revelations and acknowledged its response had been unacceptable. Pauw said she had reported her ordeal to the Dutch police, adding: “Trust me, my story is very real and very true. Pauw thanked the FAI, her players and backroom staff for their support. I can no longer share the silence.”

Since arriving in Ireland almost three years ago Vera Pauw has developed a reputation as a straight talker who is taking women's soccer into the mainstream.

She said: “I should have come out right away about the rape in ’86.” However, Pauw does not want them named as she hopes there may be a prosecution in the future. Nothing could be further from the truth,” she wrote. “I am stunned by the allegation.” “I thought: nobody will believe me,” she says. The 59-year-old has revealed that she was raped by a “prominent football official” employed by the Dutch FA early in her career. Not in my whole life, by the way.” “Bizarre of course,” says Pauw now. Pauw told NRC: “He said: ‘I want to show you that I can do it differently’. And I believed that, at the time.” Friends who spoke to NRC described Pauw as “totally devastated” after the attack. To take away some of the pain, even if he will no longer be prosecuted.” “I did not experience it as rape at the time.

The 59-year-old has also claimed she was sexually assaulted by “two other men”.

Vera wanted this to be carried out by Verinorm, an independent research agency that specializes in social safety,” the KNVB said. Also with a view to recovery mediation.” With the investigation, Verinorm also found that there was no plan or policy of the KNVB behind this.” In a statement posted on Twitter, Pauw said: “For these past 35 years I have kept the abuse private. I can no longer share the silence.” Nothing could be further from the truth.

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw says she was raped and sexually assaulted by three different men involved in Dutch football.

Stories may appear in the Dutch media of my horrific ordeal and I know claims may be made against me in an effort to tarnish my story." "This is who I am, I don't have to hide any more. The Republic of Ireland manager claims she filed five reports to the Dutch FA, but did not receive a satisfactory response. It is unacceptable that Vera did not experience the safe working environment to which she was entitled at the time." Nothing could be further from the truth." "For these past 35 years I have kept the abuse private.

The Football Association of Ireland has given its full support to Republic of Ireland head coach Vera Pauw after her revelations of rape and sexual abuse.

Also with a view to recovery mediation.” With the investigation, Verinorm also found that there was no plan or policy of the KNVB behind this.” Vera wanted this to be carried out by Verinorm, an independent research agency that specializes in social safety,” the KNVB said. In a statement posted on Twitter, Pauw said: “For these past 35 years I have kept the abuse private. I can no longer share the silence.” Nothing could be further from the truth.