The Football Association of Wales has said allegations against the former Wales international Natasha Harding, including that she took money for coaching sessions she failed to deliver, are “extremely disappointing”.
BBC Wales News reported on Wednesday that teammates, parents and sponsors have accused the former Liverpool, Reading and Aston Villa forward Harding – who now uses her married name Allen-Wyatt – of taking thousands of pounds that she has not returned.
Allen-Wyatt scored 26 senior international goals in 103 appearances for Wales over a prestigious career that also included spells at Manchester City, Bristol Academy and Cardiff City. Her social media accounts appeared to have been deleted on Wednesday shortly after the allegations were published.
Among the allegations is a claim that £3,770 raised by Ms Allen-Wyatt from a charity skydive in 2020 was not passed on to two charities. The BBC also said that parents claimed they paid between £180 and £975 for blocks of one-to-one coaching sessions but no more than two sessions were delivered, while detailing several instances of parents and children who felt they had not received the coaching they had paid for.
The Guardian has contacted Allen-Wyatt for a response. The BBC reported that she did not respond to them regarding the allegations made by her former teammates or by businesses, but they said she had admitted she did have to cancel “some sessions” she had organised for children, citing her “car being written off and the second car breaking down”, and that she had provided some refunds.
A statement from the FAW said it had signposted Allen-Wyatt to support services after being made aware of the allegations, and also that they had liaised with the police.
The FAW’s statement said: “The Football Association of Wales and Cymru Women’s National Team players and staff are disappointed by the allegations surrounding one of our former players. As a WNT squad that represents our country with pride and looks to inspire the younger generation, it has been extremely disappointing to hear the allegations.
“The actions of the individual in question do not represent us as a squad or our values, and some of those actions have also impacted ourselves, our families, and friends.
“The FAW is aware of allegations surrounding the player in question and has liaised with the police regarding any potential illegal activity.
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“Throughout the process of being made aware of the allegations, the FAW has signposted the individual to appropriate support services. Current WNT players affected by the actions of the former player have also been offered regular support throughout the process via our safeguarding and player welfare team.
“The FAW would encourage those potentially affected to reach out for support but also advise that any potential illegal activity should be reported to the police in the first instance.”
