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Acquitted Veteran Challenges Safeguarding Ban Blocking Him From Coaching

He says the panel upheld a 'substantiated' concern without considering his 17-minute acquittal, with the Free Speech Union backing a £25,000 human-rights claim.

Overview

  • A local safeguarding board deemed Jamie Michael unsuitable to work with children after recording a child protection concern as substantiated despite his jury acquittal.
  • The Football Association of Wales barred him from coaching following a private meeting with a council safeguarding officer and South Wales Police.
  • Michael says the panel did not review his video or consider the court outcome and that the evidence before it contained factual errors.
  • He says he may attend his daughter's training as a spectator but will be subject to monitoring of his behavior by the board.
  • The Free Speech Union is supporting his legal challenge seeking £25,000 in damages, and the safeguarding board has declined to comment while litigation proceeds.