Aston Villa women boss Carla Ward insisted player welfare is ‘paramount’ after Sportsmail revealed how a former coach resigned following shocking allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Sportsmail’s investigation revealed how former coach Jack Peel was accused of sending inappropriate messages, including requests for naked photographs, during his time as head coach of the women’s academy at the Premier League club.
Peel was suspended by Villa in September 2021 after they received a complaint about his alleged behaviour from a member of the first-team squad and conducted an internal investigation.
The 27-year-old resigned on the day he was due to attend a formal disciplinary hearing at Villa, but strongly denies the allegations, describing them as 'disgusting' and 'untrue'.