Sport: Women’s Football
Level: Professional
Country: Hungary
Role of Perpetrator: Head Coach
Status: Anonymized
Background
Players on this professional women’s football team in Hungary were regularly subjected to verbal abuse and vulgar language from their head coach during matches and training sessions. The athletes were dependent on the club and coaching staff for selection, playing time, contract continuation, and future career opportunities.
At the time, the club did not enforce behavioral standards for coaching staff, nor did it provide players with an independent or confidential reporting mechanism.
Pattern of Conduct
The head coach engaged in repeated verbal abuse that included:
- Shouting aggressively at individual players
- Using vulgar and degrading language, including insults and expletives
- Public humiliation in front of teammates, staff, officials, and spectators
- Criticism unrelated to performance or professional guidance
- Players described the abuse as frequent, intimidating, and emotionally damaging, creating a culture of fear rather than professional discipline.
Impact on Players
Athletes reported:
- Intense humiliation and emotional distress
- Fear of making mistakes during matches or training
- Loss of confidence and enjoyment in the sport
- Anxiety that affected physical performance
- Normalization of abuse as part of “coaching culture,” leaving them feeling powerless to speak up
- Because the coach controlled selection, playing time, and career progression, players feared retaliation if they raised concerns.
Rights Violated
This case highlights multiple potential violations under Hungarian law and sporting standards:
- Human Dignity (Alaptörvény – Fundamental Law of Hungary)
- Verbal abuse and public humiliation by a senior coach violate the constitutional right to personal dignity, especially given the power imbalance.
- Safe and Respectful Work Environment (Hungarian Labour Code – Munka Törvénykönyve)
Players, as contracted professionals, have the right to a harassment-free work environment. Repeated yelling and obscene language constitute workplace harassment.
Protection Against Psychological Harassment
Hungarian labor principles recognize harassment as unwanted conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, or humiliating environment. Physical contact is not required for psychological harm to exist.
Mental Health and Wellbeing (MLSZ/UEFA/FIFA Safeguarding Principles)
Persistent verbal abuse violates modern safeguarding standards that require safe, respectful, and supportive environments.
Protection from Abuse of Authority
The coach’s control over playing time, contracts, and selection aggravates the harm, constituting an abuse of power.
Club Duty of Care
The club is responsible for protecting athlete welfare. Failure to act on known abuse or to provide reporting mechanisms is a breach of duty.
Safeguarding Failures Identified
- Lack of enforced behavioral standards for coaches
- Normalization of abusive language as “passion”
- Absence of independent reporting mechanisms
- Failure to intervene despite visible misconduct
- Lack of accountability at the club level
What Should Have Happened
A safeguarding-focused response, in line with Hungarian law and MLSZ standards, would have included:
- Clear codes of conduct prohibiting verbal abuse and vulgarity
- Immediate intervention when abusive behavior occurred
- Formal investigation of complaints
- Proportional disciplinary action against the coach
- Mandatory safeguarding education for all staff
- Protection against retaliation for athletes who report abuse
Why This Case Matters
Verbal abuse, vulgar language, and public humiliation are not minor coaching issues. They constitute psychological harassment, violate human dignity, and create unsafe sporting environments.
Athletes should never have to fear intimidation or humiliation from their coaches. Clubs and federations have a legal and ethical duty to ensure professional, respectful, and safe conditions for all players.
Silent Whistle exists to provide independent support, ensuring athletes can speak up without fear, and that abuse is addressed with accountability.
