Iceland Football Chief Resigns In Sexual Assault Scandal
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published August 30, 2021 | 09:00 PM
Reykjavik, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2021 ) :The head of Iceland's football association (KSI) has resigned after two women claimed a national squad player had sexually harassed and assaulted them in 2017, with one of the women accusing the association of trying to pay her off to stay silent.
Gudni Bergsson, who has served as KSI chairman since 2017, stepped down late Sunday after a series of weekend meetings, which were followed by a KSI statement acknowledging that the association's board had not handled the situation correctly.
Thorhildur Gyda Arnarsdottir, now 25, told public broadcaster RUV on Friday that a member of the national team had grabbed her crotch and grabbed her by the neck, before assaulting her with another individual, in a Reykjavik nightclub in September 2017.
She claimed that a lawyer representing the association then asked if she would sign a non-disclosure agreement and receive financial compensation to stay silent, which she refused.
The association denied that one of its lawyers had offered such a deal.
She told RUV the player admitted the facts, apologised, and paid her an undisclosed sum as compensation.
Several media have identified the player in question as Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.
The association has not confirmed the identity of the player, but did say in a statement that Sigthorsson would not play in three upcoming games against Romania, North Macedonia and Germany "due to a decision taken by the board".
Arnarsdottir and another woman had filed police reports against a player for sexual assault that night.
Arnarsdottir also said she knew of at least six other players who had been accused of sexual assaults by other women.
Bergsson's resignation came after he was found to be lying when he told national television on Thursday that the association had "not received a complaint or any kind of suggestion that someone in particular has been guilty of sexual offences." In a statement late Sunday addressed to the victims, the board said: "We... believe you and sincerely apologise. We know that we as guarantors have let you down and we intend to do better.""We take the matter very seriously. Work is already underway with external professionals to review all responses to sexual offenses and violence within the association and how support was and will be provided to victims," the statement read.
It said it would "fix the things that have gone wrong and look at the culture that exists within the football movement from the bottom up."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Statement of Engro Corporation - LNG Case Decision
Wasim Akram touches fans’ hearts by new look
Empowering women for employment is the need of hour, says Sadaffe Abid
Global study reveals Pakistan’s inadequate measures against Tobacco Industry
Co-Working Center launched in Okara under PITB’s e-Earn program
BHC judges recommend legal action over agencies interference into judicial matte ..
Third Women T20I: Pakistan to face West Indies today
Mahira Khan delights at Arijit Singh’s concert in Dubai
Dubai Customs Celebrates World Intellectual Property Day, Honors Schools and Uni ..
Vivo Reveals Durefishan Saleem as Brand Ambassador for its Upcoming Y100 Smartph ..
FIA investigates alleged irregularities in tickets’ sale for PSL, int’l matc ..
IMF approves $1.1b final tranche for Pakistan
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
2 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
2 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
2 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
3 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
4 days ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
4 days ago
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
7 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
8 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
9 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
9 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
9 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
9 days ago