– It was tough to read, says Sherida Spitse to news. The midfielder is a central part of a Dutch team on the quarter-final hunt, but that does not stop her from talking about something completely different than sporting drama. She also took the time to comment on Vera Pauw’s shock revelations just before the ongoing championship. – I read it during the preparations for the European Championships, Spitse explains. SAD: Sherida Spitse. Photo: Dag Robert Johansen / news Barely two weeks ago, football legend Pauw opened up about what she described as “systematic sexual abuse, abuse of power, bullying and humiliation” in Dutch football. She told about rape and sexual abuse carried out by three different men in the Dutch Football Association (KNVB), and described that everything went well when she was a player and national team coach in her home country. – I feel sorry for her Spitse had Pauw as a coach at the beginning of her national team career, and she does not hide that she is shaken by the experiences of the ex-boss. – It is of course not okay, she says seriously. – I feel sorry for her. I hope she does well now, says Spitse, who has been in the Norwegian top series for many years. GETS SUPPORT: Vera Pauw. Photo: LORRAINE O’SULLIVAN / Reuters The Dutch Football Association has taken self-criticism in several areas after Pauw went public with his story. Spitse says that she herself has not been able to talk to the association yet, since this appeared in the middle of the European Championship run-up. – But they must look at how this will work in the future, she states. Vera Pauw Won 89 international matches for the Netherlands between 1984-1998 Has been a top level coach since 1998 Is now Ireland’s national team coach Went out in early July and accused the Dutch Football Association of systematic sexual abuse, bullying and abuse of power. The case has been reported to the police. – Fearful England’s Dutch success manager Sarina Wiegman, who had a brilliant day at work when Norway was crushed earlier this week, has also commented on the Pauw revelations. ENGLAND MANAGER: Sarina Wiegman (with Norway’s national team coach in the background). Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP – First and foremost, it is terrible to be exposed to something like that, the 52-year-old said at the press conference before the opening match of the championship, according to De Telegraaf. – I think it is terrible to end up in such a situation, she added. Wiegman also said she was pleased that a police investigation had been launched into the alleged abuse. – It is always a good thing to do, was Wiegman’s analysis. Pauw took a long time to go to the police. She rather informed the Dutch Football Association (KNVB), which responded by ordering an independent investigation from an external company. – This investigation shows that KNVB should have done a number of things differently, Jaap Paulsen, the press manager of the association, told news earlier in July. – We acknowledge the errors that were identified in the report, and this should not have happened to her. It is unacceptable that Vera did not have a safe working environment, the press officer wrote further. After a quarter of an hour, the association’s lack of handling led Pauw to go to the police, and it was in connection with this that she also decided to publish her story. Predict metoo roll-up in football The public has not passed quietly in the Swedish camp either. Sweden’s European Championship goalkeeper got involved the very next day. – Strong by Vera Pauw. I hope this gives you redress. I stand by my feeling that the metoo movement, for example, is not over in football. It has probably just started, her words are on Twitter. “Women in football”, a professional network that works for gender equality, has also come out with support for Pauw. – Vera’s experiences should be a wake-up call to the governing body in the whole world. Women no longer tolerate abuse being met with silence and slowness, it is said in parts of the statement. Photo: Woman in Football
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