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Ensuring a safe environment for children in football

Published: 07-12-2016 15:30
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The Malta Football Association takes child protection very seriously and it has taken a number initiatives to ensure the safety of children in football. In September 2015, the MFA employed a safeguarding officer whose responsibilities revolve around four pillars:  1.     To promote safe recruitment in football;2.     To develop safeguarding policies and training to personnel working in football;3.     To take action when allegations of abuse are made; and4.     To create space for victims and survivors of abuse to come forward.Safeguarding training is now included in all courses for coaches and administrators offered by the MFA Technical Centre. This training has also been given to the Youth FA, the Malta Coaches Association, to children and parents in local football nurseries and in talks to parents at the National Sport School. The MFA is currently working on vetting all football nursery staff. The association is doing this by supporting clubs in collecting the information needed to meet the requirements set out in the Protection of Minors Act. The MFA is also developing its current Child Protection Policies. It is also draftingnew Safeguarding Regulations to set out the MFA powers in cases where a risk to children is identified. Norman Darmanin Demajo, MFA President, said: “It is our obligation to protect children playing football and to do our utmost to ensure a safe environment for them to do so.” Andrew Azzopardi, the safeguarding officer at the Malta Football Association said: “Wherever there are issues of power and vulnerability children can potentially be at risk. This is a big wake up call for all football, not just football in England or Malta. It is also a huge callfor the government to finally legislate to protect children by creating ways for organisations to share information related to people who pose a risk and to think about new ways that people’s name can be placed on the Register for the Protection of Minors.” The MFA appeals to anyone seeking support to use the Supportline 179 ortolog on to Kellimni.com. The association encourages victims or survivors of abuse in football to approach qualified personnel forprofessional support.