DAVID BECKHAM INSISTS none of the horrific child sexual abuse in English football that has come to light in recent months happened during his time at Manchester United.
Numerous former players have come out in testimony of their ordeal while coming through the ranks at clubs, kickstarting a storm of controversy surrounding the conduct of coaches.
Police are presently investigating the allegations that began last November, with numerous accounts circulating around convicted paedophile and former trainer Barry Bennell.
Clubs have agreed to cooperate in investigations but, while Beckham admitted he had been humiliated as a “lesson” during his time as a United academy player, there had never been wrongdoing on the part of the club’s staff.
“It’s disgraceful what’s gone on and there has to be something done about it,” Beckham said on BBC’s Desert Island Discs radio show. “But there was never anything at Manchester United.
The closest [thing to abuse] would’ve been certain professionals. If we’d gone out of line they’d make us do a funny dance in the middle of the changing room in front of our heroes at the time.
“[It was] humiliation, and that was all it was, but that was just to teach us a lesson, there was never any wrongdoing.”
I’d like to believe the FA are doing everything they can to find out about the allegations. The more these ex-professionals voice their opinions, that’s when there will be change.
“I would like to think the clubs are all on board with this.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
No disrespect to Nina Carberry but wtf does Katie Taylor need to do to get some recognition. Arguably the best athlete, male or female, we have ever produced.
I was coming in here to write exactly what you said. I think it is an absolute joke that Taylor can’t even win the Female award let alone the overall one. Does she really have to win Gold on the Olympics just to get some recognition? I think there’s a very strong case to say she’s the greatest athlete this country has produced. Can’t remember the exact top 10 greatest list compiled the last time but Stephen Roche wasn’t even in it if Im not mistaken. Bit of a joke considering what him and Taylor have achieved.
I hope she thanked the horses who did all the running…