Training with your idol, who hasn’t dreamed of it? Legend of the Wales team, Natasha Harding (100 caps, 26 goals) launched her Football academy in 2023, the year of her sporting retirement. The objective? Provide individual coaching sessions to children.
Except most of them never happened. As revealed by a BBC investigation published on Wednesday, the former Manchester City and Liverpool striker was accused of fraud after receiving money for training sessions that she did not give. Parents are demanding thousands of pounds from him.
The BBC cites several examples in its investigation. Like that of a brother and sister who used the money received at Christmas to treat themselves to sessions they never saw. Or that of team volunteers who were forced to announce to their young players that they would not benefit from the supervision of a former professional.
Natasha Harding, who has also been called Natasha Allen-Wyatt since her marriage, is also accused of not having donated the 4,200 francs collected during a parachute jump in 2020 to two charities.
The player is also incriminated for non-compliance with contractual conditions by former sponsors and non-repayment of loans by former teammates.
The player has not responded to the allegations made by her sponsors or teammates. On the other hand, she acknowledged the cancellation of certain training sessions for “circumstances beyond her control”.
A police investigation is underway.
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