The sports minister, Tracey Crouch, informed parliament that the Ministry of Justice had agreed changes to the law which would bring the sport industry into line with other sectors. It is illegal for teachers to sleep with pupils under the age of 18 and for care workers to have sex with 16- and 17-year-olds but at present the same strictures do not apply in sport. There have also been allegations of inappropriate relationships between coaches and athletes in canoeing and archery. Speaking at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport parliamentary questions session, Crouch said: “A year ago, Andy Woodward reported historic allegations of sexual abuse in football. In January the NSPCC called for the closure of a “loophole” allowing coaches to have relationships with 16 and 17-year-olds under their care.

Source: The Guardian November 16, 2017 19:07 UTC