AN Aston Villa women’s coach was suspended for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to teenage players, it has been revealed.
Jack Peel, 27, is said to have messaged the female players aged 17, 18 and 19 on WhatsApp and Snapchat.
None of them are said to have included any nude pictures and there is no suggestion of there ever being physical contact.
The club asked the FA to launch a probe into him.
Peel was the manager of the club’s U21 women’s team and was immediately suspended when players alerted Villa chiefs in 2021.
He joined Aston Villa in 2020 from second city neighbours Birmingham City and had passed all the stringent FA safeguarding checks to coach in girls football.
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Villa also alerted Birmingham City Council’s Safeguarding chiefs about their former coach’s behaviour.
Aston Villa said: “When allegations were made about Jack Peel’s behaviour he was immediately interviewed and suspended by the Club and we also informed the FA and other relevant authorities in the same timely manner.
“Peel’s suspension, which is standard procedure in matters of this nature, was pending a formal Disciplinary Hearing. Prior to the hearing, he resigned.
“Aston Villa fully co-operated with the FA, who are responsible for Governing Body safeguarding investigations. We therefore cannot comment on their ultimate sanctions.
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“The Club takes its safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously and meets all the statutory requirements set by The FA and Premier League in this sector.”
An FA Spokesperson said: “The FA has robust safeguarding measures in place, and all referrals into The FA are handled in line with our policies and procedures. We do not comment on individual cases.”
When approached by The Sun, Jack confirmed he is the former coach at the centre of the “inappropriate” messages allegations but has said: “I strongly deny everything.”
He added: “I need some breathing space.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
