HUNDREDS of Scottish youth football coaches and officials have been suspended for failing to complete comprehensive background checks part of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
David Little, chief executive of the Scottish Youth Football Association (SYFA), told MSPs that a backlog of vetting through the PVG scheme has been completed but that 488 people have been automatically debarred from youth football for not submitting an application to the Disclosure Scotland process.
Those now suspended until they complete the checks would have had access to children only under supervision from PVG-approved officials, Little told members of the Scottish Parliament’s health and sport committee.
There are about 15,000 volunteer coaches and officials who help run 39 SYFA leagues and coach 60,000 young players.
The SYFA set a deadline of February 28 to clear a backlog of about 950 applications but Little said a further 1,170 are now being processed after an influx in applications for next season.
He added: “The backlog that existed has now been cleared. That process has now been completed and people who were not compliant have been dealt with. As of today, with the new members coming in in February, there’s 1,170 new members who have joined the SYFA.”
Asked by committee member Clare Haughey how many were on an automatic suspension for not submitting a PVG application, Little said: “In respect of the backlog, 488.
“They are precautionary suspended, that means they are completely debarred from participation in any football under the jurisdiction of the SYFA.”
The Holyrood session on child protection in sport follows allegations of historical abuse in football. Police Scotland is investigating and the SFA has set up an independent review.
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