Championship side Aston Villa have been ordered to make “sweeping and vigorous” changes to the welfare protection for academy players after a Premier League inquiry found “evidence of bullying, aggressive behaviour and unacceptable language” by Villa’s U-23 coach Kevin MacDonald (h/t the Telegraph).
The complaints against the 56-year-old by a Villa youth player and members of his family, lead to a serious warning to the club.
In the letter from the Premier League, the father of the youth player was told, “League officials are expected to have a regular presence in the club over the coming months to assess the club’s progress with implementing these actions. Failure to do so could have significant ramifications for the club.”
The 56-year-old, who has been the former interim first-team manager of Aston Villa, has been accused of emotional bullying, shaming of players in front of fellow team-mates, personal insults and abusive language on a daily basis.
A spokesman for Aston Villa said Kevin MacDonald would respond to the Premier League’s verdict only through the club.
