FAI chief to speak to Pauw over report allegations

FAI Chief Executive Jonathan Hill will speak to Vera Pauw in Dublin later today about allegations made about her in a report on historical abuses in the National Women's Soccer League in the United States.

The Republic of Ireland manager was named in a report published on Wednesday which alleges that while manager of Houston Dash from November 2017 to September 2018 Pauw shamed players for their weight and attempted to exert excessive control over their eating habits.

She was also said to have criticised players over their appearance.

Pauw has denied the allegations and the FAI backed the manager who has led the Republic of Ireland women's team to their first ever World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand next summer.

Houston Dash has apologised to players who were subject to misconduct by two former coaches including Vera Pauw.

In a statement the club said "The Houston Dash commends the courage of players and staff who participated in the Joint Investigation and the important work of the NWSL and NWSLPA Joint Investigative team over the past 14 months."

According to the report, the Ireland boss did attend an interview by an investigation team and provided a written denial of the allegations.

Following an FAI AGM last night Chief Executive Jonathan Hill spoke at an online media briefing.

He said: "The 128-page report was only made public last night. As a board we discussed them in the context of our own processes, our own procedures, and in the context of the wider Irish game so we can be certain as a board and as an association that we can address any issues were they to happen in our jurisdiction.

"These are things that happened quite some time ago in the US, we are not belittling them at all, but we will need some time to