Australia’s football union, the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), has announced plans to tackle abuse and harassment in the sport. In response to recent incidents of abuse and systemic failures to protect female players, the PFA will launch the Safe Football Project in the coming year. The project aims to proactively prevent abuse, bullying, and harassment by introducing education and safeguarding measures, as well as enhancing reporting mechanisms for players.
The decision comes in the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup and follows revelations of abusive coaches within the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States, as well as reports of sexual abuses suffered by players in Afghanistan and Haiti. The PFA conducted a research project in 2022, seeking to understand the experiences of female players in football and how to prevent abuse. The study, designed by human rights lawyer Kat Craig, found that more than one in four players (26.8%) reported experiencing abuse or harassment in the sport.
Kate Gill, co-chief executive of the PFA, emphasized the importance of understanding the environments in which players work. She stated that addressing the complex problem of abuse requires a comprehensive approach, and the PFA has enlisted the expertise of global professionals like Kat Craig to both respond to and prevent abuse, bullying, and harassment.
The PFA hopes that Football Australia, clubs, and leagues will support their plans to tackle the root causes of abuse and harassment. All PFA staff have undergone training from the World Players Association’s Ready to Respond program, and the organization has strengthened its mental health referral network.
Beau Busch, co-chief executive of the PFA, acknowledged the devastating impact of abuse, bullying, and harassment in sports and emphasized the need for a whole-industry approach. He stated that the goal of the project is to support players, survivors, and build a better environment while moving beyond protecting the interests and reputation of the sport itself.
Kat Craig highlighted the importance of players’ voices and experiences in creating a safe sporting environment. The Safe Football Project aims to centralize players’ perspectives, map the reporting journey, and develop solutions in collaboration with the players. Craig praised the PFA’s groundbreaking efforts as an example of how this work should be undertaken and expressed hope that global stakeholders in football would follow suit.
The PFA’s initiative demonstrates a commitment to addressing abuse and harassment in football and prioritizing the well-being of players. By launching the Safe Football Project, implementing education and safeguarding measures, and strengthening reporting mechanisms, the PFA aims to create real change and ensure that players can thrive both on and off the pitch.
