Examples of our work include:
FIFPRO: WHAT EQUAL PLAYING FIELD?:
Athlead has worked with the global footballers’ union FIFPRO since 2018, on issues
including athlete activism, racial discrimination, and abuse and harassment.
In 2021, Athlead helped FIFPRO produce ‘What Equal Playing Field?’, a report amplifying the
voices of professional footballers, including Anita Asante, Vincent Kompany, Giorgio
Chiellini, and Quinn. The report combined player testimonies, research, and reform demands,
with recommendations for sports bodies and a practical roadmap for member unions.
FIFPRO: RESPONDING TO ABUSE WORKSHOP
In 2021, Athlead worked with FIFPRO to deliver a series of global workshops on reporting
sexual abuse, bringing together over 40 player unions. The sessions equipped union leaders
with practical tools to strengthen reporting mechanisms, support survivors, and reduce the
risk of further harm. By combining legal expertise with survivor-centred approaches, the
workshops provided unions with a roadmap to create safer environments for players
worldwide.
FIFPRO: REPORT ON ABUSE IN FOOTBALL
In 2021, Athlead assisted FIFPRO in developing a report on abuse in football, looking at
lessons learned and recommendations. The report analyses the conditions that enable
misconduct and abuse. We provided concrete recommendations for reform, including
transparency on abusive conduct, trauma-informed investigations, and stronger victim
support mechanisms.
The report became a landmark resource for global football, setting out systemic reforms to
end the culture of silence.
FIFPRO: GLOBAL WORKSHOPS ON REPORTING SEXUAL ABUSE
Athlead has worked with the global footballers’ union FIFPRO since 2018, on issues including athlete activism, racial discrimination, and abuse and harassment.
Players experiencing sexual abuse often faced barriers to reporting, including stigma, fear, and inadequate support from institutions. Player unions needed training to create safe, trauma-informed environments where athletes could come forward.
Athlead supported FIFPRO in delivering a series of global online workshops in April 2021, led by Kat Craig. Over four sessions with 40+ player unions, the workshops shared best practices, promoted trauma-informed approaches, and strengthened peer support networks. Special focus was placed on empowering women to report abuse and building trust-based environments for disclosures.
The workshops enhanced the capacity of player unions worldwide to support athletes, creating more consistent and safe reporting pathways. They also fostered stronger international networks, ensuring that players could access solidarity and protection across borders.
WORLD PLAYERS ASSOCIATION: GLOBAL SAFEGUARDING REFORM ACROSS PLAYER UNIONS
In 2024, World Players Association launched the CASES project to build capacity amongst
player unions’ legal teams and executives to support athletes who face abuse. CASES is the
latest development in a series of efforts underlying World Players and its affiliates’
commitments to safeguard the long-term health, safety, development and well-being of
players, as people and workers.
The project was led by Athlead’s Kat Craig and World Players’ Director of Sport and Human
Rights Ginous Alford.
PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS AUSTRALIA: SAFE FOOTBALL PROJECT
Athlead’s Kat Craig was engaged to provide specialist expertise on safeguarding, traumainformed approaches, and access to remedy for affected players. Together, these inputs
informed a landmark report that set out clear pathways to strengthen protections, empower
athletes, and embed safer, more inclusive practices within Australian football.
WORLD CRICKETERS’ ASSOCIATION: PLAYER EDUCATION MODEL ON ABUSE, HARASSMENT AND
DISCRIMINATION
Athlead worked with the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) to design a specialist
educational module that raised awareness of these issues while clearly outlining players’
rights and responsibilities under the WCA’s Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Code.
The module equipped professional cricketers with practical knowledge and guidance,
helping to build safer sporting environments and strengthening the WCA’s commitment to
safeguarding, accountability, and inclusion within global cricket.
PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS AUSTRALIA: SAFE FOOTBALL PROJECT
The Safe Football Project was initiated by Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) to address urgent issues of sexual abuse, harassment, discrimination, and athlete activism within Australian football, recognising the need for stronger protections and more inclusive environments across the sport.
To support this, Kat Craig was engaged to provide specialist expertise drawing on her background as a human rights lawyer and CEO of a sport and human rights consultancy, contributing insight into safeguarding, trauma-informed approaches, and access to remedy for affected players. The project also incorporated a pro bono legal review by Clifford Chance, which mapped the complexities of Australia’s domestic legal routes to remedy.
Together, these inputs informed a landmark report that set out clear pathways to strengthen protections, empower athletes, and embed safer, more inclusive practices within Australian football.
WORLD CRICKETERS’ ASSOCIATION: PLAYER EDUCATION MODEL ON ABUSE, HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION
Professional cricketers often lacked tailored education on recognising and addressing abuse, harassment, and discrimination, leaving many unaware of both the risks they faced and the protections available under existing codes.
Athlead worked with the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) to design a specialist educational module that raised awareness of these issues while clearly outlining players’ rights and responsibilities under the WCA’s Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Code.
The module equipped professional cricketers with practical knowledge and guidance, helping to build safer sporting environments and strengthening the WCA’s commitment to safeguarding, accountability, and inclusion within global cricket.
Athlead has supported the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA), a player-led organisation that unites the world’s professional cricketers, to develop a specialist educational module on abuse, harassment and discrimination. The module helps players understand the risks associated with abuse, harassment and discrimination in cricket, and their respective rights and responsibilities in line with WCA’s Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Code.