Ireland women's coach Vera Pauw says she was raped by 'prominent football official' as a player

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Former professional Dutch soccer player and Ireland women’s head coach Vera Pauw revealed in a shocking statement Friday that she was raped by a "prominent football official" in 1986 and later sexually assaulted by two other men within the organization. 

Pauw, 59, made the allegations public in a lengthy statement posted on social media as well as in a report published Saturday in the Dutch newspaper NRC. 

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw and her backroom staff and players stand for the playing of the national anthem before the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 qualifying Group A match between Finland and Republic of Ireland at Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland.  (Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

"For 35 years I have kept a secret from the world, from my family, from my teammates, my players, my colleagues and, I can now accept, from myself," she said in the statement. 

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Pauw alleged that she was raped by a "prominent football official" when she was a player for the Netherlands in 1986, an assault that reportedly took place at her home, according to NRC. She also alleges that she was later sexually assaulted by two other men that "were employed within Dutch football at the time of these incidents." 

"For the past number of years I have tried to have my case heard in a fair and just manner by the football authorities in the Netherlands but to no avail. Some people would rather keep my rape and sexual assaults quiet than offer me the support I need by opening this story to the world. I can longer share the silence," she wrote. 

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