The Bermuda Football Association is urging those who are aware of sexual abuse in football to report it immediately.

The association issued a statement yesterday in response to an article in The Royal Gazette when Maceo Dill, a long-time youth coach, lifted the lid on the problem in the local game. Dill said he is aware of several former players who have suffered sexual abuse by people in positions of trust in football clubs. He said the problem has been going on for years.

Yesterday, the BFA, which has an association with the help group Saving Children and Revealing Secrets, assured that policies were in place to deal immediately with situations of abuse within football.

“The suggestion that youth football players, involved with local football programmes, have been subject to any form of abuse is alarming and the Bermuda Football Association implores those who are aware of cases of abuse to do their duty and report such abuse to the authorities,” the association said in a statement.

“Through the BFA Club Licensing Policy, Scars training is an integral part of being awarded a licence. In fact, some of our clubs are ahead of the curve by ensuring all those working with children and youth are Scars-trained.

“In this regard, our clubs have accepted their role in the protection of children and young people under their influence. While it may be difficult or impossible in some cases to undo any past indiscretions, we will certainly do all we can to ensure any such incidents don’t happen in the future.

“If such an incident does happen, then we have the mechanisms in place to deal with it immediately and not wait years and decades, or sweep it under the carpet.

“Additionally, while we want and expect that our clubs under the guidance of our club administrators and coaches remain safe havens for youth development, we implore parents and guardians to become, and to remain, active participants in the lives of their children. Parents and guardians should and must also become active members in their children’s club programme.”

Recent articles of child sex abuse within English football drew attention to the issue, prompting Dill to speak out after the shocking revelations in England over the past few weeks. He said local clubs have been a breeding ground for sexual predators looking to prey on vulnerable youngsters.

“I absolutely know people in Bermuda who have been sexually abused by people directly related to the football clubs,” said Dill, who has served as a youth director and is now a technical assistant at the ABC Football School.

“The ages of these people vary and that tells you this problem has been around for decades. I’ve interacted with victims and the horror and hell that they live with is overwhelming. Some of the things that I’ve heard are shocking and I’m not the only one who knows.”

In England more than 20 former players have come forward to speak about their ordeals. The Football Association announced an internal review, with about 350 people alleging that they were victims, and 55 amateur and professional clubs were linked to the allegations of abuse.

“There is still not enough support with the clubs, within Bermuda as a society, for these people to feel comfortable telling their story,” Dill said.