If a coach should get caught up in trouble you would expect it to be either a showdown talks with the club board, wrong tactical decisions, throwing invectives at referees and for often rare cases, brawling with players.
For Frank Darlington, a certain Nigerian coach, none of the aforementioned dabbled him in hot water rather he got entangled in a web of controversy which could cost him his coaching role after he admitted, in a voluntary statement, raping and sexually molesting his players.
In a shocking episode emerging Tuesday, the soon-to-be 50-year-old was nabbed by Lagos police for a matter that has zero connection with his in-the-pitch responsibilities –sexual molestation and, on three occasions, allegedly having amorous affairs with three players via the anus.
Frank, manager of Soccer Warriors Football Academy, a club in the lower echelons of Nigerian football recruiting teenagers, would sexually fiddle with his victims privates ‘for fun’, according to a police charge sheet.
In a confession statement, privy to Nigeria’s Punch Newspaper, Darlington said, his liaisons with players, most of them under-ages, began February last year in his dormitory and only ceased his addictive lewd behavior July 2016, four months after partying with his estranged wife whom he has two daughters with.
The 49-year-old Imo State-born gaffer has over 12-years football experience and giving his story is coming to light only now, many fear this disturbing tale is just the tip of the iceberg.
Darlington, it is alleged, used threats to force his victims to submission, telling them they would die if they go out with their story to the public. His arrest followed after one of his victim lodged a complaint to his mother when Darlington made it a habit and pestered the kids for sex.
Speaking to the Paper’s correspondent under anonymity, an 18-year-old victim said, the coach approached him after a training session expressing dissatisfaction over his performance and insisted he go with him to his house for discussions.
Elaborating, the victim said, Darlington went ahead to molest him and used no protection during the ordeal.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“He did not use any protection. He did not give me any money, but he threatened that I would die if I told anyone. I cannot count how many times he had done this to me. I told my mother when I was tired of his abuse.”[/perfectpullquote]
Another victim, whom The Punch said they spoke to, revealed that a large number of footballers have opted out of the academy because “he (Frank) always slept with 2 or 3 of us every week.”
The gaffer’s apprehension has understandably sparked outrage with many Nigerian taking to social media calling for his head.
Jesse Nnaezugo Obinna says: ‘Gays should be locked up for life. In Kaduna a secondary school headmaster raped seven primary school boys in his office. I see no difference from a man to woman rape case and a man to man. They should all be killed. Death by hanging
“How much to carry ashawo? Don’t be surprised this is what some coaches home and abroad do to their players behind curtains,” says, Success Irene-Oshias Congee.
Featured Photo: Courtesy of Pulse.ng
