Serious safeguarding breach by an EFL football club

It was estimated a few years ago that there are between 10,000 and 12,000 boys in football’s youth development system. They enter the academies at age 9 but there are pre-academy coaching options for boys as young as 5. I have not seen an up-to-date figure for girls in the Emerging Talent Centres but the number of girls playing football is still increasing significantly year on year. 

There have unfortunately over the last decade been a lot of high-profile cases relating to football clubs which highlighted the failures of clubs at all levels of the game to safeguard children in their care. Jordans Solicitors have acted for the survivors of abuse by Barry Bennell and Bob Higgins. It was thought that significant steps had been taken to prevent any future safeguarding issues. 

However, in recent days it has been reported in the media following a joint investigation involving The Times that Thomas Malins who was employed by Stevenage FC as their lead coach of their development programme was able to work in their academy for 15 months despite being deemed guilty of child sex offences in Norway in late 2020.

He worked in Norway for around 5 and a half years. In 2014 he was found to have sent sexually explicit messages to a 13 year old boy he was coaching although he was acquitted of those charges.   

It is reported that Malin was then charged in Norway in 2019 of sending images of a 15 year old boy to a third party with messages stating how often he had sex with him. It was also suggested that another man was present. 

His case in Norway was not brought to court because Malins had by this time returned to the UK and restrictions were in place at the time due to COVID 19. He was initially fined. He was then issued with a waiver of prosecution where the authorities choose not to prosecute a person even if criminal guilt is considered proven. He was put on probation for 2 years and it was recorded in the Norwegian criminal register. He also had to surrender his phone.   

He then secured his job at Stevenage in November 2021. They did carry out a DBS check for criminal convictions and cautions in the UK but did not obtain a criminal record certificate from Norway which would have confirmed the above history. The football club only became aware of the position in early 2023 when Malins was suspended. It is reported that he is no longer allowed to be involved in affiliated football. 

EFL guidance apparently states that overseas checks must be done if the applicant has worked outside the UK but the FA are now to review whether their safeguarding guidance needs to be updated. It is essential for the safety of children involved in football that lessons are learned from this incident.     

Jordans solicitors are acting on behalf of vulnerable children and young adults whom it is alleged were sexually abused in a number of different types of institutions.    

Compensation is a small step towards taking control of your life and getting the justice you deserve.

We understand how difficult it can be for you to talk about the abuse you suffered during your childhood. That’s why our specially trained child abuse solicitors work closely alongside psychologists and barristers to support you both emotionally and legally.

Justice for child abuse survivors should be accessible no matter how long ago it happened. That’s why we fought for a landmark change in the law, which allows an abuse claim to be brought before a court regardless of when it took place.

If you want to discuss the options that are open to you, please contact our specialist Abuse Team at Jordans Solicitors