Manager of women’s football club banned for 12 years after bombarding players with indecent images

Key Highlights

• The FA received evidence from four players and a staff member, all of whom detailed examples of Hamilton trying to illicit sexual activity between May 2022 and November 2024. The regulatory commission written ruling stated: “Women should be able to participate in football without being subjected to the sort of behaviour Mr Hamilton exhibited towards them.
• Women’s football is prospering, and for it to continue to flourish, a clear message needs to be sent that the sort of misconduct Mr Hamilton committed will not be tolerated and will be met with the most severe consequences.”The commission also noted “with sadness” that one of the victims appeared to blame herself, and that more broadly the complainants “feared the consequences of complaining and that it would impact on their chances of being selected”, adding: “Worst of all, some of them somehow felt that it might be their fault.”The commission had “no doubt” Hamilton’s behaviour would have continued had one of the players not instigated the complaint. Hamilton attended an interview requested by the FA and he answered allegations made by two of the players, before taking a phone call and terminating that interview early.
• He subsequently failed to engage with the FA and did not rearrange his interview.
• He was requested to provide material from his phone but did not do so. Hamilton has been approached for comment by the Guardian. The commission decided he had “no more than bare denials” in relation to three of the complainants, adding: “He has shown no introspection, contrition or remorse.
• The closest he has come is to say that he is ‘not proud of’ his behaviour.”All of the complainants names were redacted within the commission’s report, which was made public on Friday. Of the 24 charges, one – where it had been alleged that Hamilton had asked the staff member to go home with him while they were working in another job – was found not proven.