FAI offer 'full support' to Vera Pauw after sharing experience of rape and sexual assault

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has offered its "full support" to Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw after she shared her experience of rape and sexual assault.

Sharing a statement on Twitter, Pauw tweeted: "This has been the toughest thing in my life but, finally, I'm ready to move on and be proud of who I am."

The statement reads: "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.

"Later two sexual assaults by two other men were added to this record. All three men were employed within Dutch football at the time of these incidents."

This has been the toughest thing in my life but, finally, I'm ready to move on and be proud of who I amVera